Military Forests and Estates to plant over 400 linden trees in support of beekeepers, Defence Minister J. Naď helps out with tree planting

SVK Military Forests and Estates (VLM), an MOD-run, state-owned company, is aware of the vital role the bees themselves play in the functioning of ecosystems. Recognising this, VLM has begun to plant over 400 linden trees and other bee-friendly honey plants across the woodlands it manages. The project is designed to provide direct support to beekeepers and to ensure better conditions for 734 bee families living across military forests.

Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “SVK Military Forests and Estates approaches woodlands management in a highly responsible manner and takes an active role in boosting local biodiversity and ecosystems. As I attach great importance to such activity, during my voluntary work in the military forests I am pleased to have given a helping hand in planting linden trees, which will help both our woodlands and bees.” As a way to regenerate tree cover, Military Forests and Estates runs a restock programme, growing over a million young trees per year at the Jovsa Forest Nursery.

Director General of SVK Military Forests and Estates Ján Jurica said: “Last year, we cancelled the fee the beekeepers paid for placing their beehives in our woodlands. The only condition is that they must enter their bee colonies into the Central Register of Farming Animals and that their application to use a specific location for beekeeping must be approved by Military Forests and Estates, since the MOD woodland resource serves the needs of State defence. This also gives us an overview of the number of beekeepers and bee colonies in the area.”

Given that beekeeping has suffered losses, members of the public are welcome to make voluntary donations to the members of the Slovak Beekeepers Association who keep their bee colonies in the military woodlands through a transparent bank account. The money will go on bee food, medicines and support material. Military Forests and Estates stands with the Beekeepers Association and their cooperation is being taking forward on the basis of a Memorandum of Understanding on Forestry.