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News

The Quaich Project launches partnership with The World Bee Project CIC

11th July 2019

The Quaich Project welcomed The World Bee Project CIC to Scotland this week, to raise awareness of the importance of bees as part of our natural ecosystem and highlight The Quaich Project’s key campaign theme, to create A Space for Nature.

At the University of Edinburgh Apiary.  From left to right:  Matthew Richardson, Apiary Manager-University of Edinburgh; Rebecca Amiel, Supporter Engagement Manager-The Quaich Project; Andy Clark, Design Innovation Director-Oracle; Balint Szule, Head of UK & International Development-The World Bee Project CIC; George Clouston-The World Bee Project CIC; Sabiha Rumani Malik, Founder and Executive President of The World Bee Project CIC.

Jules Haston, Director of Development at The Quaich Project says “The Quaich Project is delighted to collaborate with The World Bee Project CIC. Improved biodiversity is a core outcome of the regeneration in West Princes Street Gardens, with the inclusion of wildflower meadows and a large area of untouched, natural green space to the south of the railway lines, right up to the top of Castle Rock. With these improvements, West Princes Street Gardens is destined to become an even better haven for bees of all kinds.”

The World Bee Project CIC are developing a world-first approach to understand the decline of honeybee populations and how we can help protect them.
Sabiha Rumani Malik, Founder and Executive President of The World Bee Project CIC says “We very much look forward to discussing the vital importance of bee health on our ecosystem, and ways in which The Quaich Project and other community partners can contribute to improving biodiversity in one of Edinburgh’s most treasured green spaces. The partnership with The World Bee Project CIC and The Quaich Project has the potential to bring together universities, schools, businesses and residents, sharing insights to life inside the hive and learning from the bees to create a balanced and harmonious environment within the city. It will also generate fascinating stories that will raise awareness and create connections with local, national and global audiences”.

The World Bee Project Hive Network is a ground-breaking initiative that will generate and share new learning about bees, help to create environments in which they can thrive and in turn protect our ecological heritage and food security. The World Bee Project has partnered with Oracle to leverage cloud technologies and data analytics that will provide unprecedented insights into the lives of honeybees. Find out more information on Oracle at https://www.oracle.com/corporate/pressrelease/ai-smart-hive-networks-101618.html

Matthew Richardson – Apiary Manager, University of Edinburgh Apiary Project says: “The University of Edinburgh Apiary is working with the World Bee Project CIC to install a monitoring sensor on one if its hives which will generate new insights into the links between honey bee health, hive conditions, varying environments and the pollination services bees provide to maintain ecosystem health. Pollinating insects are currently suffering from habitat loss and a lack of foraging sites. Managed and unmanaged green spaces are vital in supporting pollinator populations on which we all rely. While work is being done in parks and gardens to plant trees and flowers that can provide much-needed food for these insects, it is important to study how effective such schemes are. One way to achieve this is to monitor the strength and health of bee populations in these areas and compare them to those in other environments. “

Find out more about The World Bee Project and the World Bee Project Hive Network here http://worldbeeproject.org/

Matthew Richardson and George Clouston installing the hive sensor