BEESandAPPLE becomes European best practice project
for encouraging people to do their bit for the environment and biodiversity
Founders Manfred Hohensinner and Katrin Hohensinner-Häupl introduced the ‘Digital Flower Meadow’ at the heart of the EU institutions in Brussels. They met with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans (Commissioner for the European Green Deal), Vice-President Dubravka Šuica (Commissioner for Democracy and Demography) and Commissioner Johannes Hahn (Budget and Administration).
Unique worldwide: Digital flower meadow presented
On March 30, the BBA initiators Manfred Hohensinner and Katrin Hohensinner-Häupl and numerous prominent project ambassadors presented the future model „Digital Flower Meadow“ and the „Agriculture New“ at MQ Libelle on the roof of the Leopold Museum in Vienna. Opera star Elīna Garanča was introduced as the new BioBienenApfel ambassador.
It starts with a single seed.
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Video laden BEESandAPPLE project
Taking steps each day together to make the world a better place
The BEESandAPPLE project is one of the biggest bee conservation initiatives ever to be launched in Europe. Our goal is to plant thousands of hectares of beautifully blooming flower meadows to create new habitat for billions of bees. The bee is essential for life on Earth. This humble creature symbolizes the importance of changing the way we think across all sections of society. A more responsible use of nature’s resources is more important now than ever.
Saving the bees means saving the whole planet. And that’s why we need to keep the bees buzzing!
The purpose of the BEESandAPPLE project is to give the bees a voice and to inspire people from all different countries to get involved. We want everyone to know how easy it is to make a difference. If we all pull together, we can make the world a better place every day! We are currently focusing on initiating, shaping and embedding change throughout society in order to increase environmental protection and promote sustainable living. We all need to be aware of how important a healthy ecosystem is for our lives and for future generations. The world is changing and we have a responsibility to charter a course towards a bright and healthy future.
Many prominent celebrities have been lending their support to this society-wide project, including tennis pro Dominic Thiem, four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel, German top model Charlott Cordes, Hollywood star tattoo artist Mario Barth, NHL striker Marco Rossi (currently playing for Minnesota Wild), two-time ski world champion Lizz Görgl, rock’n’roll and folk singer Andreas Gabalier, Austrian content creator Lisa-Marie Schiffner, footballer for FC Bayern Munich Carina Wenninger, award-winning chef Andreas Döllerer and football coach Franco Foda.
Some highlights of the BEESandAPPLE project
BEE GOOD-Award 2022
awarded to Elīna Garanča
A great voice for the bees: Opera star Elīna Garanča honored with the BEE GOOD Award 2022! The Latvian mezzo-soprano pays a huge amount of attention to nature away from the big stages of this world and exemplifies that the responsible use of natural resources begins in one’s own family.
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Flower seeds for Pope Francis
The BEESandAPPLE project has made its way to the Vatican where it is flying the flag for sustainability and conservation. Initiator of the project Manfred Hohensinner presented Pope Francis with the flower seeds from Austria as a symbol of the responsibilities we must honour towards creation. After the presentation, a flower meadow was planted in the garden of the Austrian Embassy to the Holy See in Rome to create a beautifully blooming habitat for bees in the Eternal City.
BEESandAPPLE launched in Germany
BEESandAPPLE launched on 27 April in Munich under the banner “Keep the Bees Humming”, a one-of-a-kind initiative giving everyone in Germany the chance to get involved and help bee habitats blossom across the country. The aim of the new initiative is to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity for the future of our planet, to empower regional producers for “Agriculture 2.0” and to make Germany more self-sufficient in the cultivation of fruit and vegetable. After all, our future depends on our ability to establish agricultural practices that meet the needs of society and conserve resources – for and with the people.
The European Parliament becomes the latest partner to join the project!
Protecting bees and creating new habitats for pollinators are two key objectives of the EU’s European Green Deal.
Now that the European Parliament has become an official project partner, the BEESandAPPLE project is able to play an important role in the EU’s efforts to restore balance to our ecosystems.
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Video laden The first BEE GOOD AWARD 2021 goes to Sting and Trudie!
The project BeesAndApple and the „We for Earth“ movement honored the singer Sting and his wife Trudie with the first BEE GOOD AWARD. Sting and Trudie got the award for their life’s work achievement in commitment to a better, healthier, fairer and more sustainable world hosting and protecting bee colonies for decades and years to come. Sting says: “We need to protect the bees to protect ourselves. They are our friends.” Watch the whole video and learn how Sting and Trudie protect bee colonies and work towards a more sustainable world!
Globally unique: The Sebastian Vettel bee hotel
Sebastian Vettel builds his first race car bee hotel together with Styrian elementary school kids.
Hungarian F1 Grand Prix: Sport Signage joins the BEESandAPPLE initiative
Take a look behind the scenes of the new partnership!
Meet our ambassadors
Andreas Döllerer
Award-winning chef
“In the edible garden on the steep slopes behind our restaurant, we grow herbs, fruit and rare regional vegetables that bring almost forgotten flavours back onto the plate and into the glass. It is important to me to preserve this biodiversity. We have 15 beehives, and our garden is literally buzzing with activity. I love being a BEESandAPPLE ambassador, because it reflects my personal commitment to preserving nature and biodiversity for future generations.”
#BEEsustainable
Andreas Gabalier
Rock’n’roll and folk singer
“If you want to change the world, you have to start in your own back garden! Protecting nature demands a worldwide response, but it starts with each and every one of us. The more we appreciate the diverse natural beauty we see every day at home and in the world around us, the better we understand how important it is to get involved. I want nature’s unique beauty to be available to future generations as well, and that’s why I support the BEESandAPPLE project.”
#BEEalocal
Carina Wenninger
Footballer for AS Roma, ÖFB captain
“I love how diverse my home country is, and I love experiencing unique landscapes in the great outdoors. For me, it is really important to find high quality, locally sourced food. The BEESandAPPLE initiative shows us how easy it is to protect what really matters – the environment. As a project ambassador, I hope that I can motivate others to make their own contribution.”
#BEEontheway
Charlott Cordes
Top model
“It is up to us to make a conscious choice to enjoy life sustainably. That is what true luxury is all about – not excess and waste. The choices we make will determine the future of the planet and improve our quality of life at the same time. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I hope I can help raise awareness as a BEESandAPPLE project ambassador.”
#BEEamazing
Dominic Thiem
Tennis pro & US-Open-Champion
“We look to nature for sustenance, recreation and inspiration – our planet is totally unique, and we should treat it that way. To live in harmony with nature, we need to rethink our choices as a society. We can achieve amazing things when each of us is willing to make even a small contribution. The BEESandAPPLE initiative is a key step in the right direction.”
#BEEathiemplayer
Franco Foda
Football coach
“Protecting bees is just like playing football – you can’t rely simply on luck; you have to face the challenge of every match well-prepared. With the BEESandAPPLE initiative, each of us can become the proverbial twelfth player that gives ‘Team Bee’ the win. I am proud to support this initiative.”
#BEEaSupporter
Lizz Görgl
Singer, speaker, and two-time ski world champion
“As someone who is passionate about the outdoors, I find wildflower meadows some of the most beautiful spectacles that nature has to offer. Wildflowers make for more than just a pretty picture; they offer a valuable habitat, and we need more of them to blossom all over the world. I became an ambassador for the BEESandAPPLE project, because I want to keep the bees humming!”
#BEEactive
Lisa-Marie Schiffner
Content creator
“My generation has the knowledge and the opportunity to live sustainably and to conserve natural resources. And we don’t even need to make huge sacrifices in the process; we just have to be willing to make some simple lifestyle changes. I want to invite and motivate young people to take responsibility and make sure everyone has a bright future ahead. It is up to us to be the change we want to see. That is why I became an ambassador for the BEESandAPPLE initiative.”
#BEEthenextgeneration
Marco Rossi
NHL pro
“When it comes to protecting bees, attack is still the best defence. It is up to us to go on the offensive and create more habitat for the bees. I support the BEESandAPPLE project because I am fascinated by the idea that we can change the whole word with something as simple as a wildflower meadow.”
#BEEabuddy
Mario Barth
Celebrity tattoo artist
“It doesn’t matter whether you live in America or in Europe: We need the bees, and the bees need a healthy environment. Together, we can make sure the future of the planet is bright. With the BEESandAPPLE project, we are making sustainability and environmental protection a lifestyle choice!”
#BEEborderless
Othmar Karas
First Vice-President of the European Parliament
„The Green Deal can be the biggest driver in the fight against climate change. To implement our strategy consistently, we also need initiatives at country level. The BEESandAPPLE project shows how people can be involved in the necessary change in an uncomplicated and real-life way, and how long-term visions successfully complement concrete measures. That’s why BioBienenApfel is the first initiative across Europe with which the EU Parliament has agreed to cooperate in the spirit of the Green Deal.“
Sebastian Vettel
Four-time formula 1 world champion
“Taking responsibility for the future doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your quality of life – it’s about finding sustainable ways to have fun. That way you can enjoy life with a clear conscience and protect the environment at the same time. I became an ambassador for the BEESandAPPLE project because I want everyone to know that their actions can make a real difference.”
#BEEahero
Initiator
Frutura
Manfred Hohensinner, CEO
We were driven by our creativity, determination and enthusiasm when we founded Frutura in 1999. These attributes have served us well in our mission to provide Austria with the best fruit and vegetable produce possible while at the same time doing our utmost to protect the environment. We are proud that we have never strayed from this path and that we have achieved our goals. Today, my daughter Katrin is upholding these values and steering the company towards a bright future. She also firmly believes in the importance of never standing still and of tirelessly pursuing the goals we have set ourselves. As the initiators of the BEESandAPPLE project, our goal is to bring about a paradigm shift in society – we want to heighten awareness of the importance of bees and to re-establish their vital habitat. Only by taking small steps together can we take a great leap forward and ensure our planet remains habitable for the generations to come.
Established partners
Partners and Supporters
