As part of its ongoing commitment to preserving this environment, Love Tomorrow has been sponsoring a neighbouring bee sanctuary since 2024 through a six-year investment.
Right next to the DreamVille camping lie the Terhagen Clay Pits, home to a variety of wild bee species. The nycthemeral miner (Andrena nycthemera) and the northern mining bee (Andrena ruficrus) have made their home in the steep walls of the clay pits. This location is also one of the few where the dark nomad bee (Nomada obscura) can be seen.To protect these vital pollinators, the area will be transformed into a bee sanctuary by Natuurpunt.
For Love Tomorrow, this project presented a unique opportunity to give back to its surrounding environment. It sponsored the necessary modifications, while also supporting a research program aimed at mapping the bee diversity in the area. Every two years – in 2024, 2026 and 2028 – the bee population will be monitored. This is one of the first long-term research projects focussing on pollinators in Flanders, providing valuable insights into the effectiveness of the conservation measures taken.
The pollinators of tomorrow
Wild pollinators facing significant challenges in Belgium. Of the 381 species of wild bees found in the country, 32.8% are endangered, 6.8% are nearly endangered, and 11.8% are regionally extinct. The situation is equally dire for day-time butterflies and hoverflies. This decline can be attributed to several factors, including habitat loss, landscape degradation, and the diminishing variety of flowering plants. The Flemish Wild Pollinator Action Plan 2022-2030 outlines measures to reverse this negative trend and safeguard wild pollinators.
Across 21 locations, existing nature reserves will be converted into bee sanctuaries, helping custodians make a tangible impact on nature restoration and management, giving wild pollinators the best chance to thrive.
For Love Tomorrow, protecting wild pollinators is a shared responsibility. “It’s vital to us that we do our part,” says Debby Wilmsen of We Are One.World, the organisation behind Tomorrowland and Love Tomorrow. “We’ve enjoyed this beautiful area for over 20 years, and we want to do everything we can to ensure it remains as vibrant and liveable as it’s ever been.”