Features of a BeeTotem for the RefuBees project

1 Preparatory phase: Local residents are actively involved and mobilised to take over the BeeTotem.

2 BeeTotem setup: The BeeTotem is 2.8 metres high and has a base about 1.20 metres in diameter. It is made of non-toxic, recycled plastic using a 3D printing process, has five trays filled with plants and is firmly anchored in the ground. The total weight of the BeeTotem is about 150 kilograms (depending on whether the soil is damp or dry).

3 Illustration of the bee species: The totem incorporates a 3D-printed sculpture of a specific wild bee, enlarged about 10,000 times. This image comes from the archive of a natural history museum, which holds 28,000 highly accurate photographs scanned with first-class European 3D scanning equipment from the University of Darmstadt.

4 Plants and soil: The totem is filled with 240 litres of organic garden soil, together with a variety of organic and native flowers and plants, carefully selected to meet the needs of a particular wild bee species in every season. Collaboration with specialist nurseries facilitates this aspect.

5 Bee hotel: An above-ground or underground bee hotel is included and matched to the preferences of the bee species.

6 QR code paving stone: Next to the BeeTotem lies a coloured paving slab with a QR code that gives access to detailed information about the project, the specific bee species and the totem’s planting scheme.

7 Interactive website: On a website set up specially for the BeeTotem in question, residents can upload photos and record their experiences with the BeeTotem.

8 Neighbourhood opening event: A joint event is organised for the inauguration of the BeeTotem.

9 Utensils for hosts: Hosts are provided with tools such as buckets printed with instructions for disposing of kitchen scraps for the worms.

10 Educational programme: An educational programme aimed at primary schools in the neighbourhood is offered to those who are interested.

11 Contribution to biodiversity: Besides all these components, taking part in the BeeTotem initiative makes a valuable contribution to preserving the local wild bee population and to promoting a biodiverse and more liveable city for its residents.