The Netherlands Turns 316 Bus Stops Into Bee Stops
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According to statistics, 358 bee species live in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, more than half of them are already endangered and put on the Dutch Red List (RL). The Netherlands’ officials recognized the problem with declining bee population and found an ingenious solution – to transform the city of Utrecht’s bus stops into bee-friendly havens to support pollinating populations.
More info: Provincie Utrecht
The city of Utrecht now has 316 bus stops with rooftops covered in greenery
Image credits: uitdragerij
Recently, the Utrecht council saw an opportunity to expand the functions of a regular bus stop by giving them a new wholesome purpose: To tackle the growing endangerment of honey bees. Utrecht is the fourth-largest city in the Netherlands, located in the central part of the country.
The new lush rooftops will encourage pollination by honeybees and bumblebees
Image credits: evagladness
Not only do newly revamped bus stops look cozier, but the flowering plants also support the city’s dwindling ecosystems, such as honeybees and bumblebees. The green rooftops filled with flowers for bees also help to capture fine dust and store rainwater.
“A green roof is good for a healthy and livable city”
Image credits: Jolanda van Ginkel
“A green roof is good for a healthy and livable green city … that can, therefore, cope better with climate problems. It helps to prevent flooding and ensures that we suffer less from heat,” reads the official website of the city of Utrecht. The officials are planning to install solar panels atop the bus stops in the next few years as well.
However, it’s not the only environmentally-conscious initiative of the city of Utrecht
Image credits: uitdragerij
Back in February, Utrecht announced that they will be replacing their current buses with electric ones. The officials are hoping to employ an entirely carbon-neutral transit fleet before 2028.
Here’s what people online had to say
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Am I the only one thinking "Buzz Stops"? I can't see it anywhere, and the lack of this obviously lame pun is causing me physical pain.
If “Buzz Stops” isn’t the official name, it definitely should be!! Brilliant, Ryo Bakura!!
I'm with you!
One thing that people don't do but should is put out bird baths. They aren't just for the birds, people! I've seen everything from a raven (no idea where he came from) to butterflies in my bird bath, and it's common to see both bumble bees and honey bees sitting at the edge and drinking.
Great idea! I would only add that small critters like bees need a rock or other platform to stand on so they can drink safely if the edge of your water feature or bird bath isn't shaped to accommodate them.
Please remember to change the water every 2 days in mosquito season. That will stop them breeding = less mosquito spread disease. Depending on where in the world you are everything from malaria to West Nile virus.
Mosquitos kill more humans than any other animal. Mosquito borne diseases are found on almost every continent except Antartica. Definitely change that water and/or get a bubbler.
If that is at me Aunt Messy? Not everyone knows this. Sadly we all do not have your education. And congratulations on achieving Master Gardener. Even if has been a while since you did that it is a wonderful thing. * Sincerely*
Uh oh we have a master gardener on our hands!! Look out everyone!
I think this is a real info site>>>https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/outdoor/mosquito-borne/default.html
Thanks, I'm a Master Gardener. No need to treat me like I'm 5.
Great idea! Just remember to change the water at least daily so that you do not end up with your very own mosquito breeding station.
Yeah but remove the mosquito larvae regularly!
Wow youre so awesome to do that! Thanks for sharing this idea :]
For people worried about the bees and for those who are allergic: Mostly the bees will only go where there are flowers for them to feed on. Since these flowers will be well above human heads that should take care of most of the problems. Secondly, if you're allergic, CARRY AN EPIPEN with you! I know they've gotten ridiculously expensive here in the States but surely in the Netherlands they're more affordable. I have at least three friends here in the US who are deathly allergic to bees, who have Epipens but DON'T CARRY THEM WITH THEM. When I ask them why they don't have a real answer but say things like, oh, my purse is already full, I don't have a pocket that's the right size, etc. CARRY THE DAMN THING. And if you can't afford one you have all my sympathies- and my fury towards the people who run "health care" in the US. Things like this should be free and freely available at any pharmacy, ER, doctor's office, walk in clinic, etc.
Very good points Felicia! In Australia there is a bit of a rigmarole to be able to get an epipen. If people are too stupid to carry it, when they have one...... https://darwinawards.com/
Epipens in Aust had supply shortage issues for awhile there, but shouldn't be hard to get anymore; the shortage eased up earlier this year, thankfully. I haven't had anaphylaxis, but I get hives around and in my mouth from certain nuts, and some fruits (I can't eat apples anymore, and it sucks). The dr told me increased expose could increase the reaction, so at any point it could turn anaphylactic. That's terrifying enough to warrant me to carry an epipen. Anyone who knows they ( or their children) are allergic, and don't carry an epipen are being extremely careless.
Epipens cost €50 in the Netherlands, but they are 100% covered by our "socialist" general health insurance. So I get your anger over the incredible ineffecient and expensive american healthsystem. BUt as an American once told me: The American healthsystem is only accessible to the rich and to the poor if they are healthy.
IMO, while true, this is simplifying and dismissing a potential and (for some) serious problem. Bees won't just confine themselves to the flowered roofs of these stops just because we designed them that way. Bees (like all animals) explore their territory searching for food. Bees are also attracted to perfumes, colognes, etc. Anyone wearing them will be at risk and with an allergy, even more so. In addition, bees are attracted to sweet food and drink. An allergic person wearing perfume and snacking has tripled their risk factor. Also, if there are no other flowered areas nearby, these bus stops will be be more swarming with bees... adding to the inherent risk. If there are significant other flowered areas, then these flowered stops aren't needed. I will say this is a nice gesture of concern for the environment, but in realistic terms it is just that, a gesture... with little practical impact. I'm afraid that, like plastic straw bans, this more virtue signaling than practical solution.
"just carry an epipen" .. wow. obviously you're not subject to LITERAL DEATH by anaphylaxis. jesus christ 🙄
Nah. Bees can venture away from flowers and some can become aggressive. It also only takes one person to waft about and they could get stung or cause another person to be stung. Not everyone knows they are allergic because they've not been stung by one - so they won't have an epipen. Even if you have an epipen - this doesn't magically cure you ... it prevent the symptoms for worsening or becoming critical very quickly...you still need to seek emergency medical help. Plus the epipen will work if it's just one or two stings, but three or more and it's game over for those with serious allergies. When you have a life threatening allergy you don't tempt fate. You avoid the stuff that is trying to kill you. Granted there are stupid people that opt not to take the epipen with them...but there are some that generally forget.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Even if you’re not allergic you should carry an epipen for a quick pick me up if you start feeling tired
Am I the only one thinking "Buzz Stops"? I can't see it anywhere, and the lack of this obviously lame pun is causing me physical pain.
If “Buzz Stops” isn’t the official name, it definitely should be!! Brilliant, Ryo Bakura!!
I'm with you!
One thing that people don't do but should is put out bird baths. They aren't just for the birds, people! I've seen everything from a raven (no idea where he came from) to butterflies in my bird bath, and it's common to see both bumble bees and honey bees sitting at the edge and drinking.
Great idea! I would only add that small critters like bees need a rock or other platform to stand on so they can drink safely if the edge of your water feature or bird bath isn't shaped to accommodate them.
Please remember to change the water every 2 days in mosquito season. That will stop them breeding = less mosquito spread disease. Depending on where in the world you are everything from malaria to West Nile virus.
Mosquitos kill more humans than any other animal. Mosquito borne diseases are found on almost every continent except Antartica. Definitely change that water and/or get a bubbler.
If that is at me Aunt Messy? Not everyone knows this. Sadly we all do not have your education. And congratulations on achieving Master Gardener. Even if has been a while since you did that it is a wonderful thing. * Sincerely*
Uh oh we have a master gardener on our hands!! Look out everyone!
I think this is a real info site>>>https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/outdoor/mosquito-borne/default.html
Thanks, I'm a Master Gardener. No need to treat me like I'm 5.
Great idea! Just remember to change the water at least daily so that you do not end up with your very own mosquito breeding station.
Yeah but remove the mosquito larvae regularly!
Wow youre so awesome to do that! Thanks for sharing this idea :]
For people worried about the bees and for those who are allergic: Mostly the bees will only go where there are flowers for them to feed on. Since these flowers will be well above human heads that should take care of most of the problems. Secondly, if you're allergic, CARRY AN EPIPEN with you! I know they've gotten ridiculously expensive here in the States but surely in the Netherlands they're more affordable. I have at least three friends here in the US who are deathly allergic to bees, who have Epipens but DON'T CARRY THEM WITH THEM. When I ask them why they don't have a real answer but say things like, oh, my purse is already full, I don't have a pocket that's the right size, etc. CARRY THE DAMN THING. And if you can't afford one you have all my sympathies- and my fury towards the people who run "health care" in the US. Things like this should be free and freely available at any pharmacy, ER, doctor's office, walk in clinic, etc.
Very good points Felicia! In Australia there is a bit of a rigmarole to be able to get an epipen. If people are too stupid to carry it, when they have one...... https://darwinawards.com/
Epipens in Aust had supply shortage issues for awhile there, but shouldn't be hard to get anymore; the shortage eased up earlier this year, thankfully. I haven't had anaphylaxis, but I get hives around and in my mouth from certain nuts, and some fruits (I can't eat apples anymore, and it sucks). The dr told me increased expose could increase the reaction, so at any point it could turn anaphylactic. That's terrifying enough to warrant me to carry an epipen. Anyone who knows they ( or their children) are allergic, and don't carry an epipen are being extremely careless.
Epipens cost €50 in the Netherlands, but they are 100% covered by our "socialist" general health insurance. So I get your anger over the incredible ineffecient and expensive american healthsystem. BUt as an American once told me: The American healthsystem is only accessible to the rich and to the poor if they are healthy.
IMO, while true, this is simplifying and dismissing a potential and (for some) serious problem. Bees won't just confine themselves to the flowered roofs of these stops just because we designed them that way. Bees (like all animals) explore their territory searching for food. Bees are also attracted to perfumes, colognes, etc. Anyone wearing them will be at risk and with an allergy, even more so. In addition, bees are attracted to sweet food and drink. An allergic person wearing perfume and snacking has tripled their risk factor. Also, if there are no other flowered areas nearby, these bus stops will be be more swarming with bees... adding to the inherent risk. If there are significant other flowered areas, then these flowered stops aren't needed. I will say this is a nice gesture of concern for the environment, but in realistic terms it is just that, a gesture... with little practical impact. I'm afraid that, like plastic straw bans, this more virtue signaling than practical solution.
"just carry an epipen" .. wow. obviously you're not subject to LITERAL DEATH by anaphylaxis. jesus christ 🙄
Nah. Bees can venture away from flowers and some can become aggressive. It also only takes one person to waft about and they could get stung or cause another person to be stung. Not everyone knows they are allergic because they've not been stung by one - so they won't have an epipen. Even if you have an epipen - this doesn't magically cure you ... it prevent the symptoms for worsening or becoming critical very quickly...you still need to seek emergency medical help. Plus the epipen will work if it's just one or two stings, but three or more and it's game over for those with serious allergies. When you have a life threatening allergy you don't tempt fate. You avoid the stuff that is trying to kill you. Granted there are stupid people that opt not to take the epipen with them...but there are some that generally forget.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Even if you’re not allergic you should carry an epipen for a quick pick me up if you start feeling tired