STICHTING LANDSCHAP ERFGOED UTRECHT – KWINTELOOIJEN, A LASTING HOME FOR THE BLACK SACHEM BEE

The Kwintelooijen nature reserve, located between Rhenen and Veenendaal, is home to a very special resident: the black sachem bee, a very rare and critically endangered wild bee species. The population in Kwintelooijen, a former sand quarry, is the only one north of the rivers. The other population is located in Limburg. To preserve the population in Kwintelooijen, adapted management is necessary. Landschap Erfgoed Utrecht, the Municipality of Rhenen, and Natuurgroep Kwintelooijen joined forces to make Kwintelooijen a permanent home for this unique wild bee. With the support of Fonds1999, funding was made possible to carry out several projects. For example, 700 m² of grassland was converted into herb-rich borders to enhance the flower supply, and fencing was installed to protect the herbs from grazing cows. Nesting areas were also created next to the famous Kwintelooijen staircase. Vegetation has been removed from the old erosion channels, making them ideal habitats for black sachem bees. Research has also been conducted to better understand the presence and behavior of the black sachem bee.