Our Vision
Nature’s NEctar works with communities and partners around conservation areas in Zambia to produce the most sustainable honey possible. It is our aim to contribute towards the protection of wild areas, while ensuring the sustained livelihoods of the immediate communities. The protection of these places is vital to the longevity of communities and conservation INITIATIVES.
Our Model
Nature's Nectar works with rural communities in Zambia to create a sustainable income and enhance the protection of local forests through beekeeping. With few resources and little access to market, rural Zambian farmers are challenged to find a viable income that doesn't negatively impact the environment. Honey has been a major crop and income source for many COMMUNITIES in Zambia for hundreds of years, and with just a few changes we can keep this practice alive.
Centuries Old Tradition
Beekeeping in Zambia has been a livelihood for centuries and has been practiced traditionally by removing bark from trees to make cylindrical beehives that kill one indigenous tree per beehive made and only last 2 to 3 years on average.
This practice is no longer sustainable as the honey market has grown by over 700% in just the past five years and degradation of indigenous forests continues. The largest impact of the bark beehives is that the most sought after trees to make these beehives are also the major nectar producing trees. This is killing trees for short term gain, but creating long term damage to the forests and bees ability to produce honey.
A Sustainable Way Forward
Though bark beehives are no longer sustainable with the growing market for Zambian honey, the knowledge that traditional beekeepers have is highly valuable. The knowledge that has been gained over generations allows for an easy transition to more sustainable beehives that are used in a similar way to traditional beehives.
Nature's Nectar works with communities and this traditional knowledge to provide top bar beehives made of pine. These hives can last up to 5x longer than traditional hives, do not take from the local forest and are used in a similar way as bark hives. This small technological shift allows for better quality honey, less disruption to the bee colonies during harvest, larger community engagement and positive impacts on forests.
Key Impacts
Nature’s Nectar was founded with the core belief that sustainability and impact are essential to success. It is the intention of Nature’s Nectar to make top bar beekeeping the most prevalent way for rural communities to produce honey all over Zambia. This will ensure the tradition of beekeeping is kept alive, advanced and a long term value is placed directly on forests and accompanying ecosystems.
Nature’s Nectar utilizes a bespoke data tracking system to verify and monitor each and every beehive we distribute. Through our unique distribution model, we aim to protect a minimum of 1 hectare of forest per beehive. It is crucial to invest is sustainable production methods to ensure that beekeeping can continue for generations to come.
20,000+ Beehives Distributed
2,000+ Beekeepers
44% of Beekeepers are Women
22% Annual Income Increase Per Beekeeper
Partnerships
Nature’s Nectar works with conversation organizations across Zambia to provide a sustainable livelihood opportunity for communities these organizations work with.
West Lunga Conservation Project (WLCP)
Nature’s Nectar has been working with WLCP since 2018 to provide beekeeping opportunities for communities within the West Lunga Landscape. So far, over 8,000 beehives have been distributed with more than 800 individuals in 10 communities. It is the goal of the partnership to provide a minimum of 50,000 beehives to communities directly surrounding the West Lunga Management Area.
More information about WLCP and their work can be found at www.westlunga.org
BioCarbon Partners (BCP)
Nature’s Nectar has been working with BCP since 2021 to enhance their already existing beekeeping program. Previously more than 6,000 beehives were distributed with communities and by the end of 2021, more than 11,000 beehives will be in the field. The aim of this project to is impact communities around Lower Zambezi National Park and in the Luangwa Valley with 25,000 top bar beehives.
More information about BCP and their work can be found at www.biocarbonpartners.com
WEForest
Nature’s Nectar has been working with WeForest since 2021 to provide a market linkage and enhanced training to the beekeepers and communities they already work with. WeForest works with communities in Zambia to provide market based incentives for the protection of forests and reforestation initatives.
More information about WeForest and their work can be found at www.weforest.org