I was asked the question not so long ago why I was doing this work. The answer to it is deep rooted for me. Growing up in a country where nearly every inch is “touched and managed” by people made me aware of what we are really doing to to planet. Is it the right path where we as humans decide and think we can control our environment? Do we really have the best interest in place when we set out strategies to create new nature? I think yes and no is the answer to that. As a human we can all see what our impact is on this planet and there is a feeling of guilt in all of us whether we acknowledge it or not. Unfortunately the change we make to the land is irreversible. When “working the land” we disrupt a process that has been going on for millions of years and once we start there’s no going back. During a conservation project in the Netherlands where we had to apply for funding to reinstate a peat bog, it was clear how much disruption we cause. When taking soil core sample on the land 60 to 90cm of the top layer was disrupted. The decision was made to remove that top layer untill we exposed the undisturb soil. What we were actually doing is going back in time and start again. The same can be said for the way we work with our bees. We have gotten to a stage where it is unsustainable. Going back far enough in time the honeybees would have lived freely in cavities in trees. Because of our demand for timber products the trees disappeared and with it it’s ecosystems. Because of the fact that I studied forestry and lansdcape management in the Netherlands I understand the processes that play a role in the creation of an ecosystem and the time it takes. And for this reason I am where I am at now, going back in time, creating log hives. So I think to answer the question why am I doing this work? I feel responsible..