Bees at the exhibition grounds: A project for biodiversity and responsibility

NürnbergMesse and noris inklusion have been working together since this year with the aim of combining ecological responsibility and social participation. A visible sign of this new partnership can now be found at the exhibition grounds: two bee colonies from noris inklusion have moved into their new home there.

Written by Johanna Köhler

Three men in white and beige beekeeping suits with veil hoods and gloves stand next to an open wooden hive. One person pours liquid from a large white canister into the hive while another gently lifts the lid. Numerous bees can be seen on the wooden frame inside. In the background is a green fence and autumn-colored shrubs.

The idea for the project arose immediately after the start of the collaboration. As we familiarized ourselves with the diverse range of activities offered by noris inklusion, it quickly became clear that the organization is not only involved in gardening, catering, and crafts – it also has an apiary. Since noris inklusion already produces honey, it seemed obvious to develop this theme further together – and bring bees to the exhibition grounds.

Inclusion meets sustainability

For over 40 years, noris inklusion has been offering meaningful employment to people with disabilities at six production sites in Nuremberg – including a nature experience garden center, a print shop, a pottery workshop, and the inclusive Tante Noris cafés. Employees also take on a variety of tasks in the apiary. “Our employees each have their own tasks to perform there – from mixing the sugar water to uncapping the honeycombs to extracting the honey,” explains Michael Volland, operations manager at noris inklusion.

This creates a place where ecological and social responsibility work together in a meaningful way: The establishment of bee colonies on the exhibition grounds promotes biodiversity and at the same time enables participation – right in the middle of the urban area. The animals' way of life is also taken into account: the bees live in a species-appropriate manner in wooden hives with an undivided brood chamber and are allowed to build their own combs on foundation sheets – a practice that corresponds to their natural structure. The location of the exhibition grounds in the southeast of Nuremberg offers ideal conditions for this: the Dutzendteich area, forests, and allotments are in the immediate vicinity – providing a diverse supply of nectar and pollen. “The area around the exhibition grounds offers our bees sufficient food and a protected habitat,” says Volland.

Close-up of an open wooden beehive with numerous bees on the honeycombs. Part of the hive is covered with a transparent plastic cover. On the left side of the picture, a hand wearing a beekeeper's glove can be seen holding the cover. — The bees live in wooden hives in a manner appropriate to their species – an important contribution to promoting biodiversity in the heart of urban areas.

A project with a future

The implementation of the project initially posed a particular challenge. This is because bees can only migrate in a species-appropriate manner when they are no longer flying. “Otherwise, the bees that are still flying would no longer find their colony and would have to beg for shelter in other colonies – with the risk of being driven away by the guard bees there, as they guard their colony,” explains Volland. Due to the persistently warm weather this summer and the resulting long flight periods for the bees, this was not possible for a long time. It was not until the end of August, when the evenings were cool and slightly rainy, that the flight holes could be closed and the bee colonies safely transported to the exhibition grounds.

Since then, noris inklusion employees have been caring for the animals once a week. Since the honey has been removed, the bees are currently being fed sugar water as a substitute food – a common practice to get them through the winter. Looking ahead to the coming season, one thing is already certain: in the summer of 2026 – probably in June or July – the first honey from the exhibition bees can be harvested and processed. The long-term plan is to process the honey sustainably and give it away to NürnbergMesse customers.
This makes the project a tangible example of how ecological responsibility and social participation can be put into practice – from caring for the bees to the cooperation between the two partners.

The cooperation between noris inklusion and NürnbergMesse shows how individual competencies can complement each other in a meaningful way. “Both companies reach a wider audience and work together for more sustainability and inclusion in the city,” says Wiebke Goldhammer, responsible for public relations at noris inklusion, summarizing the collaboration.
The cooperation between noris inklusion and NürnbergMesse combines regional strength with social commitment, creating space for new ideas to grow. The bee project is just the beginning – a symbol of a partnership with a future.

Three men in beekeeping suits with veil hoods and gloves stand next to a closed wooden hive on pallets. One person holds the lid of the hive in their hands while the others stand next to them. A white canister stands next to the hive. Green trees and a metal fence can be seen in the background. — The bee colonies have found their new home on the exhibition grounds – a project that combines ecological responsibility and social participation.

Author

Johanna Köhler

Online Editing // PR Trainee