Spring Craft Fun at the Schillat Cave

Wild bees are the wild relatives of honey bees, and yet they are so different! The smallest is 4 mm long, and the largest, the earth bumblebee, is 30 mm. About 600 different species of wild bees live in Germany, with such beautiful names as "humpbacked silk bee," "leek mask bee," or "golden snail shell bee," and they are often rarely encountered. During this action day focused on wild bees, we will playfully learn about the lives of wild bees and their needs, which, despite their short lifespan of about 6 to 8 weeks, play a crucial role for us humans. Because without bees, there would be no fruit, among other things! We will craft a nesting aid for wild bees to help them and attract them to your own gardens, and you will be able to set their breakfast table with nectar- and pollen-producing flowers. The activity will be guided by biologist and wilderness educator Ilona Jentschke. Children aged 8 to 12 years are warmly invited to participate in this holiday activity with their parents. The approximately 2-hour program will start at 3:00 PM. This leaves time to participate in the public tour of the Schillat Cave at 1:45 PM and then go on an exploration tour from underground to above ground. Since only a limited number of spots are available, pre-registration at www.freizeit-kiosk.de/schillathoehle is highly recommended. Please bring a small empty tin can (7 cm in diameter, about 11 cm high, cleaned, e.g., from pet food or chopped tomatoes).