FreeTheBees restores ecological resilience for honey bees and forest ecosystems across Switzerland. While traditional beekeeping focuses on managed colonies, we champion wild honey bee populations — the unsung heroes of biodiversity and natural pollination.

Over the past decade, industrial agriculture, habitat fragmentation, monocultures, and the loss of natural nesting habitats have severely impacted wild bee populations and forest biodiversity. Ancient tree hollows where honey bees once thrived have nearly disappeared from Europe’s landscapes.

We tackle this crisis through two interconnected initiatives:

• Swiss BeeMapping — a nationwide citizen science and biodiversity monitoring program tracking wild-living honey bee colonies across Switzerland using digital mapping, GIS-supported observation, and long-term ecological monitoring.

• Habitat Restoration — the creation of natural tree cavities and “SwissTrees” that restore nesting habitats for honey bees and many associated forest species while strengthening biodiversity and ecological resilience in forest ecosystems. This short video provides an initial glimpse into this project.

Together, these projects combine conservation, restoration, technology, and community participation into a scalable model for nature regeneration.

Our monitoring network already includes hundreds of known nesting sites and volunteer observers across Switzerland. By combining scientific methodologies with citizen participation, we generate valuable ecological data while actively restoring habitats in forests and protected landscapes.

The funding will directly support:

• creation of new tree cavity habitats

• biodiversity monitoring and ecological field observation

• digital mapping and database infrastructure

• scientific documentation and long-term impact assessment

• volunteer training and public education

One of our greatest challenges is that ecological restoration and biodiversity monitoring require long-term commitment before their full impact becomes visible. At the same time, pollinators and forest ecosystems face growing pressure from climate change, environmental degradation, and habitat loss.

Our goal is to build one of Europe’s leading science-based biodiversity initiatives focused on wild honey bees, forest ecosystems, and measurable ecological impact.

By reconnecting people with nature and restoring habitats for wild pollinators, FreeTheBees contributes to healthier, more resilient ecosystems for future generations.

All of the photos above are from © ingoarndt.com