In Scotland, The LACRIMA Foundation is Making 3D Printed Wooden Beehives

There have already been attempts in the past to counteract bee mortality with the help of 3D-printed beehives. The company HIIVE, for example, uses recycled materials to create a habitat for honey bees that is as close to nature and species-appropriate as possible with the help of additive manufacturing. Now, a new non-profit organization from Scotland has also set itself the goal of improving the critical situation in which bees currently find themselves. The main objective of the LACRIMA Foundation is to promote environmental protection and improvement, focusing on the protection of honey bees and the preservation of their habitat.

By now, we should all be aware of the devastating effects of intensive agriculture, pesticides and climate change on our ecosystems. As the most important pollinator in food production, the honeybee provides a livelihood for humans and thus provides the link between wild ecosystems and modern agricultural production systems. However, fewer and fewer natural areas are found where they can establish their hives. In addition, the cultivation of monocultures and the use of pesticides reduces their food supply, which also makes them more susceptible to diseases.

Natural habitat restoration (photo credits: The LACRIMA Foundation)

The LACRIMA Foundation therefore aims to create awareness of a holistic approach to beekeeping and to increase people’s understanding of the intricate relationships and life processes of nature, as this often seems to be forgotten. To this end, they are also working closely with the semi-normadic people of Bashkortostan to develop a competent strategy for restoring the health of the bee population, ending the cycle of colony destruction and developing a deep understanding of the long-forgotten instincts of bees.