Jesolo has embraced environmental education with its newly launched beekeeping project aimed at local schoolchildren, titled "Volando con le api." This initiative is organized by Veneto a Tavola and the Leon d'Oro beekeeping company, with the support of the Comune di Jesolo. It aims to engage the younger generation by teaching them about the pivotal role bees play in maintaining ecological balance.
On Thursday, the project commenced with the presentation of six raw wooden beehives to the Calvino and D'Annunzio elementary schools. The event featured participation from local authorities and involves students from these institutions who will color and personalize the beehives as part of their learning experience. The vice mayor of Jesolo, Luca Zanotto, along with representatives from Veneto a Tavola and the Leon d'Oro company, were on hand to explain the project’s aims.
Zanotto expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, remarking, “We are happy to continue the initiative started last year through collaboration with Veneto a Tavola and the Leon d'Oro beekeeping company. The project allows us to inform the youth about the importance of bees for the ecosystem we share with them, and more broadly, contribute to environmental education, proper nutrition, and the choice of healthy lifestyles.”
The project is structured to last around six weeks, during which the beehives will remain at the schools. Students will participate actively by painting the beehives and working on individual sustainability projects related to this theme. They will also receive instruction from experts during classroom sessions, fostering curiosity and knowledge about these important pollinators.
After this period, the beehives will be moved to a green urban space within Jesolo, where they can remain as functioning bee habitats. The project will culminate on May 25, with a community celebration slated to take place in the historic center of Jesolo. This event will feature various workshops and activities focused on bee life, honey production, and environmental stewardship.
This educational venture is part of the continued efforts from last year's "Vita delle api" initiative, which successfully involved over 200 local students. The current project reinforces the commitment to educating young people about ecology and sustainability, aiding their development as environmentally conscious citizens.
Such initiatives resonate well with the growing global emphasis on sustainability and the significance of pollinators, particularly bees, which are facing numerous challenges worldwide. Educators and community leaders hope to instill knowledge and appreciation for these tiny yet mighty insects early on.
The involvement of the Comune di Jesolo’s environmental quality management office within the international "Eco-Schools" program supports the initiative's goals, aligning with the mission of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) to incorporate sustainability and ecological management within school curriculums across the world.
Overall, the "Volando con le api" project is not just about bees and honey; it’s about building relationships between students and nature, fostering their interest and respect for the environment, and encouraging future generations to prioritize ecological sustainability.