Beehives in the city centre
Why has the University decided to have its own apiary in the city? There are numerous benefits of breeding bees in such places. First of all, these insects pollinate urban plants, which makes it possible to produce seeds and fruits which, in turn, supports the bee population. The green surroundings of the Library are an ideal place for hives – in this case, vicinity of the Jan Matejko Park and the surrounding green areas of the University campus is particularly important.
In the coming weeks and months, when the bees manage to settle in, the University apiary can expect the first batches of honey. To produce 1 kilo of honey these insects have to visit about 4 million flowers.
The bees have flown slightly longer...
The idea of Beeblioteka [Bee-library] was born already at the beginning of 2020 – it constituted one of the most important initiatives that were to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the University of Lodz. However, due to the epidemic situation, the finalisation of the project had to be postponed. Sustainable development, care for nature, protection of urban (but of course not only) flora and fauna – these ideas are invariably close to our hearts and, therefore, they are in line with the University's strategy that is currently being developed.
-University of Lodz is getting “greener and greener”. After all, the campus is not only a place of study and work, but also a part of the urban area, which should cooperate with nature as well as possible, for the sake of all of us. Nowadays, we know perfectly well, and we feel it ourselves, that the natural environment protection is no longer just a gesture of goodwill – it has become a duty of each of us. As a socially responsible University, we make every effort to fulfil this obligation
– says prof. Elżbieta Żądzińska, Rector of the University of Lodz.
We start with ourselves!
#UniLodz is becoming a greener and greener university. It manifests itself in successive initiatives implemented by the academic community. Apart from Beeblioteka [Bee-library], in recent months a number of activities in the field of university social responsibility (USR) have been implemented. Both central units as well as Faculties get involved in ecological solutions. It is worth mentioning projects of the Faculty of Economics and Sociology here. As part of the Eko EkSoc programme, among others, an apitherapy house, a flower meadow and special booths for swifts were created. The University's eco-projects are also supplemented by educational activities and promoting pro-ecological attitudes among the employees, students and residents of Lodz.
The Advisory Team for Climate and Environmental Policy, including representatives from all Faculties and other units of the University of Lodz has been operating at the UL for more than a year now. It elaborates recommendations for the University authorities pertaining to what has to be changed in our activity so as to live with the surrounding us nature even better. We want to change the world but we start with ourselves.