Help Support Urban Bees Shanghai’s Latest Project

Originally from Rome, Marco Sentinelli moved to China six years ago. A CEO in the AI industry, the Italian is also the founder and lead beekeeper of Urban Bees Shanghai, a nonprofit, self-funded and independent volunteer organization whose dream it is for “every rooftop to boast a beehive.”

That dream is now a little bit closer, with the launch of the Shanghai Bee Project, but Marco needs your help to turn it into a reality. We caught up with him to find out how we can all lend our support.

Marco Sentinelli in his beekeeping finery

Tell us about the new initiative, the Shanghai Bee Project?
Honeybees, essential for food security and biodiversity, are disappearing at alarming rates globally. While they’re increasingly migrating to urban areas, they need support. 

We will introduce and manage honeybee colonies in designated, marked, and protected areas in parks and public spaces (museums, government buildings, fire stations, police stations). 

This initiative will sustainably manage honeybee populations and promote their health boosting Shanghai flora.

Have you already selected suitable spaces for the project?
We have identified some specific parks, fire stations and museums in Jing’an, Changning, Putuo and Minhang.

It will be up to the municipalities (or real estate companies) to give the seal of approval to the pilot project.

What difference would bees make to these urban environments?
Honeybees will boost the local flora, in terms of quality and quantity; usually areas with pollinators show five to 10 times larger blossoming and harvest volumes.

We will collect data during the pilot stage to measure the impact of such a project.

Who would be the urban beekeepers? Can ordinary people get involved?
The Urban Bees Shanghai volunteer beekeepers will manage the population.

Anyone who wants to help can join the project after half a day of training, and with the constant mentoring of our team.

Please feel free to contact me through my QR code at the end of the interview if that sounds like something you would be interested in.

Is it safe to have bees in the urban environment?
Bees (unless disturbed on purpose) do not engage with humans by nature; they are non-predatory creatures looking for flowery resources.

(As opposed to wasps and yellow jackets, who are often uninvited, unwelcome picnic guests).

Managing bee colonies in the urban context will ensure swarm control (bees settling in less ideal places, such as playgrounds) and a healthy bee population.

What do you need to turn your urban bee dream into a reality?
We had a preliminary meeting with a Shanghai municipality and, although open to the idea, they explicitly mentioned we need a much larger petitioning supporter base for the pilot approval.

That is why we need your support to reach our target of 10,000 followers. Simply scan the QR code below and give the Urban Bees Shanghai WeChat Official Account a follow:

Your follow will cost you nothing, and will help us immensely.

We also welcome support from individuals, education organizations and companies. You can contact me directly through the QR code below if you want to endorse us, come for field trips, purchase our products, or invite us for keynotes (and, of course, if you would like to be a Shanghai Bee Project volunteer):

We also caught up with Marco last year. Click the link below to learn more about Urban Bees Shanghai, their apiary tours, products and more…

READ MORE: Meet the Urban Beekeeper Making a Buzz in Shanghai

Fundraiser Quizzz

There will also be an awareness and fundraiser quizzz (see what they did there?) for Urban Bees Shanghai and the Shanghai Bee Project this Saturday at Cages.

Entry is just RMB50, which includes a drink, with great prizes on offer, and all money raised going to benefit the bees.

Scan the QR code on the poster above to find out what the buzz is all about!

Sat Feb 22, 7pm; RMB50

Cages, 3/F, Jing’an Sports Center, 428 Jiangning Lu, by Wuding Lu 江宁路428号静安体育中心3楼, 近武定路

[All images courtesy of Marco Sentinelli / Urban Bees Shanghai]