Slovenia's Beekeepers: The Movement Behind World Bee Day

Founded in 1873 as the Carniolan Association for Prudent Beekeeping, the Slovenian Beekeepers' Association today unites roughly 7,500 beekeepers across 207 local societies and 14 regional associations, giving Slovenia one of the highest densities of beekeepers per capita in the world. The association led the campaign that saw the UN General Assembly unanimously proclaim 20 May as World Bee Day in 2017, timed to the birthday of pioneering Slovenian beekeeper Anton Janša. It works to conserve the native Carniolan honeybee and its habitat, publishes the monthly Slovenian Beekeeper magazine, and runs school clubs, beekeeping camps, and public-awareness programs on the role pollinators play in food security and biodiversity.