The collected flower bulbs are replanted in public areas. Next spring, they will sprout again and form a colorful carpet of flowers, providing an important source of food for endangered, early-hatching wild bees.

"With the support of visitors to the cemetery, we want to make a further contribution to combating insect mortality. The little crawlers and buzzers are particularly important for nature, but hardly find any food or nesting opportunities in our urbanized landscape. Cemeteries make an important contribution to the protection and preservation of insects. They are increasingly becoming retreats for these useful pollinators," emphasizes Christiane Hinninger, Mayor of Wiesbaden and responsible for the environment.

A few years ago, the Wiesbaden Beekeepers' Association introduced the idea of collecting flower bulbs, which met with broad support from the cemetery administration. Together with the gardeners of the cemetery districts, the members of the beekeepers' association look after the collection points and empty the baskets. "Last year, we collected an entire tractor trailer of flower bulbs and replanted them in various areas. Now they are blooming in all colors and we are delighted to see how the insects eagerly visit the colorful nectar restaurants," says Siggi Schneider, Chairman of the Wiesbaden Beekeepers' Association. Since the campaign was announced, numerous towns and municipalities have requested information - and are now planning their own flower bulb collections.

"The cooperation with the beekeepers' association is a real model for success. Together, we are able to preserve valuable resources such as flower bulbs and at the same time promote biodiversity in our city," says Gabriele Wolter, Head of the Parks Department.

The "Flower Bulb Saviors" campaign is one of many examples of the cooperation between the city's Parks Department and the Wiesbaden Beekeepers' Association. Together with Wiesbaden's beekeepers, unused burial areas have been transformed into species-rich flower meadows in recent years. They are mainly visited by wild bees and butterflies.

Wiesbaden nurseries and florists can also take part in the "Flower Bulb Savers" campaign by collecting unsold early bloomers. The Beekeepers' Association is also happy to collect larger quantities directly, while smaller quantities can be placed in the collection baskets at the respective cemeteries. The best way to contact the beekeepers' association is by email at infoimkerverein-wiesbadende

The cemetery department in the green space office of the state capital Wiesbaden maintains a total of 21 cemeteries in the city area. Further information about the cemeteries and burial culture in Wiesbaden, the different types of graves and forms of burial as well as the services offered by the cemetery department can be found on the website: https://www.friedhoefe-wiesbaden.de. (opens in a new tab)

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