The United Nations has proclaimed May 22nd the International Biodiversity Day to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. The theme of the International Biodiversity Day 2019 is: “Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health“. The theme aims to leverage knowledge and spread awareness of the dependency of our food systems, nutrition, and health on biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.
The celebration of the International Biodiversity Day 2019 in Stockholm is organised by the Association of Diplomats in Stockholm together with Stockholms Stad and Stockholm Loves Pollinators (SLP). In the field outside the Institute, which is managed by Stockholms Stad and The Royal Park Management, we will plant an organic wild ower meadow on Gärdet, in the heart of Diplomatstaden. This urban meadow will help pollinators like bees and beetles: they are under threat, but if we all plant the right flowers, we can make a big difference.
SLP is a project whose aim is to make the whole of the Royal National City Park in Stockholm pollinator friendly. The Italian Cultural Institute and many other embassies are situated within the boundaries of the Royal National City Park (Kungliga Djurgården).
With the alarming news that pollinators and other insects around the world are disappearing, SLP wants to gather all stakeholders in the Royal National City Park to make the park a place where pollinating insects thrive and increase in numbers. SLP is encouraging all stakeholders to take steps to make it happen.
Other embassies, such as the British, the US, the Finnish and the Norwegian Embassies have decided to design their grounds in ways that benefit pollinators. The Italian Cultural Institute will host a beehive within its boundaries: a professional beekeeper will take care of it, harvesting the honey and tapping up the honey in glass jars.
Let’s get Stockholm buzzing!