Sweet solutions: the role of bees and Impact Investments in environmental restoration

Did you know that worker bees can fly up to 8 kilometres a day, wearing out their wings after covering hundreds of kilometres in just a few weeks? These tiny, tireless pollinators are essential to our ecosystems, helping to pollinate about one-third of the food we eat. But despite their hard work, bees and their habitats are under increasing threat from deforestation, environmental change, and unsustainable agricultural practices.

Close-up of bees collecting pollen in a vibrant Kenyan meadow. AI generated picture.

That’s where DGB’s Impact Investments come in. Designed to fund projects that benefit both nature and local communities, Impact Investments provide a unique opportunity to support the environment while generating real-world financial returns. Our latest initiative, a beehive project in Kenya, is a perfect example of how these investments can create positive change.

A woman from a local community holding jars of honey. Kenya Beehive Project, DGB. 

In this blog, we’ll dive into some fascinating facts about bees—and why they need saving now more than ever. We will take a closer look at our Kenya Beehives Project and explore the benefits of impact investments. With our Impact Investments, your investment will yield attractive returns, while also saving our pollinators and protecting the planet.

Five fascinating facts about bees and why they need saving

Bees are remarkable creatures that play an essential role in our ecosystem. Before we take a look at why they urgently need help, here are five fascinating facts about these incredible pollinators.

1. Bees have five eyes

Unlike humans, who possess two eyes, bees have a unique vision system with five eyes. They have two large compound eyes on the sides of their heads, which allow them to see a wide range of colours and detect movement effectively. These facet eyes, made up of thousands of tiny lenses, enable bees to identify which flowers are rich in nectar.

In addition to their compound eyes, bees have three small simple eyes, called ocelli, located on top of their heads. These eyes help bees gauge light intensity and navigate by tracking the sun’s position. This combination of vision helps bees thrive in their foraging activities, making them efficient pollinators.

2. A bee's brain is small but mighty

Despite their tiny brains—about the size of a sesame seed—bees possess impressive cognitive abilities. Their brains contain around one million neurons, allowing them to learn and remember complex tasks. For instance, bees can calculate the most efficient routes to gather nectar and pollen, showcasing their remarkable intelligence.

3. Worker bees wear out their wings after 800 km

Honeybees lead a busy life, averaging up to 15 flights per day in search of food. These industrious insects can fly a total distance of around 800 kilometres before their wings wear out. Unfortunately, worn wings make it difficult for bees to return to their hive, which often leads them to die from starvation or predation.

Worker bees flying over a meadow. AI generated picture.

Typically, worker bees live for about 42 days during the summer months due to the wear and tear from their foraging. In contrast, those that live through the winter can survive up to six months, since they are less active during colder months.

Read more: The importance of forests in bumble bee conservation 

4. Queens aren't born: they're made

At the heart of every bee colony is the queen, whose primary role is to lay eggs—up to 1,500 to 2,000 each day in peak season! Unlike other bees, a queen bee is not born; she is developed through a special process. When a hive needs a new queen, the workers feed royal jelly, a nutrient-rich substance produced by workers, to a selected larva, which triggers her transformation into a queen.

This incredible process allows the queen to become the mother of the hive, ensuring the colony’s growth and sustainability. After hatching, the young queen will mate and start laying eggs, maintaining the cycle of life in the hive.

5. Dancing for food

Bees possess an extraordinary sense of smell, which they utilise to locate food sources. Their antennae are equipped with thousands of receptors that detect floral scents, enabling them to identify various types of flowers.

Moreover, bees have a fascinating way of communicating their findings to others in the hive through the ‘waggle dance’. This dance involves moving in a figure-eight pattern while waggling their bodies, indicating the direction and distance of the food source. This remarkable behaviour not only directs fellow bees to the food but also reinforces the hive's social structure.

Spotlight on the Kenya Beehive Project

While bees may seem small, they are incredibly powerful contributors to our ecosystem. Nearly 70% of the varieties of crops we grow benefit from pollination to increase yield or improve quality.

Honeybees among young seedlings and flowers. AI generated picture.

However, despite their importance, bee populations are facing numerous threats that jeopardise their survival. Pesticide use, habitat loss due to deforestation, urbanisation, and agricultural expansion all contribute to destroying the natural environments bees depend on for food and shelter. Monoculture farming also limits their food sources, while diseases and parasites like the Varroa mite further weaken bee colonies, posing a serious risk to their survival and the biodiversity they support.

Read more: Why is biodiversity important? 

This precarious situation makes bees one of the most critical components of global food production. Protecting them is not just about ensuring their survival; it’s about safeguarding our food supply and the health of our planet.

DGB Group's role in restoring ecosystems

Recognising the urgency of this issue, DGB has launched the Kenya Beehive Project, which aims to restore ecosystems while providing local communities with sustainable livelihoods. This project involves installing 1,000 beehives and training Kenyan farmers in modern and sustainable beekeeping practices, equipping them with the skills needed to sustainably manage healthy bee colonies.

Kenyan farmers with beehives. Kenya Beehive Project, DGB.

One of the most impactful aspects of this project is the way it creates new income streams for farmers. Honey, beeswax, and propolis produced by the hives offer farmers a profitable product to sell at local and international markets. By empowering farmers with training and resources, the project not only helps protect bee populations but also enhances financial independence for rural communities.

Read more: Reforestation: 10 amazing benefits of planting trees

The average income of a farmer in Kenya is just €92 per month, with many struggling to make ends meet between harvests. Through sustainable beekeeping, this project offers a vital supplementary income. Each beehive generates around €28 per year, boosting a Kenyan farmer's income by about 2.5%. While it may seem small, this increase can have a significant impact, helping farmers afford essentials like their children's education. By investing, you're not just supporting bees; you're empowering communities to thrive.

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Investing in beehives: how does it work?

The Kenya Beehive Project is part of our range of Impact Investment projects. Investing in this project works through a system where investors contribute €500 to €10,000 to fund the distribution of 1.000 beehives. These funds are allocated to various critical areas: the production and maintenance of hives, training sessions for farmers, and the costs associated with harvesting, packaging, and transporting honey.

People from a local community holding jars of honey. Kenya Beehive Project, DGB.

A sustainable future

The Kenya beehive project is a testament to how we can create a sustainable future through collaborative efforts. By investing in this initiative or any of our Impact Investment projects, you’re investing in your financial future and playing a vital role in restoring vital habitats, enhancing local ecosystems, and uplifting local communities. This project showcases the interconnectedness of environmental health and community wellbeing, creating a more sustainable world.

Read more: DGB’s Impact Investments, revolutionising responsible investing

The benefits of Impact Investments: investing with purpose

Impact Investments—like the one for our Kenya Beehive Project—are not just about earning returns—they’re about driving real change. Unlike traditional investments that focus solely on financial gain, Impact Investments support projects with measurable social and environmental benefits. This approach lets you grow your wealth while making a difference, funding initiatives that restore ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and empower local communities.

Why choose Impact Investments?

• Competitive returns: DGB's Impact Investments offer 8% annual returns, giving you a strong financial incentive to invest in sustainability.

• Resilient investments: Projects funded by Impact Investments are designed to thrive despite environmental or regulatory changes, ensuring your investment remains secure.

• Global reach: Your investment supports diverse projects worldwide, from reforestation to sustainable agriculture, amplifying your positive impact.

How Impact Investments work

Impact Investments fund sustainability projects by channelling investments directly into the development of nature-based and livelihood projects. Investors can track their contributions to these high-impact initiatives through DGB's user-friendly platform, ensuring transparency and accountability.

DGB team members and people from a local community during hives distribution. Kenya Beehive Project, DGB.

DGB's Kenya Beehive Project is a prime example of how Impact Investments deliver both financial and environmental returns. By investing in this project, you support the distribution of beehives and training for farmers, boosting their income through honey sales while enhancing local biodiversity.

Discover DGB’s Uganda Coffee Growing Project

Make your investment count

Impact Investments are more than just another green investment; they’re a way to align your portfolio with your values. By choosing Impact Investments, you support a future where financial growth goes hand in hand with positive change for the planet.

This is your chance to be part of a solution that makes both your portfolio and our planet thrive.