Together for biodiversity at Schwabe

Hands-on commitment at Terra Medica

At the end of January, a dedicated group of employees gathered at the Schwabe medicinal plant cultivation site, Terra Medica, to complete a new bee nesting aid. Despite freezing temperatures, the team worked steadily to ensure everything would be ready in time for the upcoming nesting season. The fact that this could be accomplished in just one afternoon was thanks to the excellent preparatory work done by the trainees, who had already completed a large part of the nesting aid during their sustainability focus day. As soon as the early spring sun appears, wild bees begin preparing the next generation and depend on suitable nesting sites to lay their eggs. On Terra Medica, they will also find plenty of nectar and pollen once they hatch.

Learning and doing—side by side

Together, the Schwabe colleagues filled the large wooden frame with bamboo and reed tubes of various sizes. It was meticulous work, but also an opportunity to learn. Insect expert Hans-Joachim Greiler joined the activity, guiding the construction and sharing insights and surprising facts about wild bees and their vital role in our ecosystem. A great thank you for that!

For birds, too

While one team focused on the bee nesting aid, another group cleaned and prepared the many bird nesting boxes for the new season and recorded, which bird species call Terra Medica their home. 

Eighteen of the 35 nesting boxes were occupied, mainly by titmice. The volunteer team was in for a surprise when they opened one of the large bat boxes. Contrary to expectations, it did not contain any traces of bats, but instead nests built by various other animals — ranging from several bird nests to a hornet’s nest and even a bumblebee nest. And last but not least, the team discovered a dozen field wasps that were using the old hornet cells as winter quarters.

Ready for the “nest generation”

The finished nesting aid is now in place at Terra Medica —ready to support countless wild bees and, indirectly, many other insects seeking shelter in winter. We are grateful for the volunteers whose dedication makes such contributions possible.