Buzzing with Sustainability: The Copper Beech Lodge Wānaka Backyard Beehive Experience

Publish date

05/17/2024

Post author

Belinda Wulf
Tiaki Bee Honey sitting on hive at Copper Beech Lodge

Welcome to Copper Beech Lodge in beautiful Wānaka, where sustainability and regenerative tourism are at the heart of everything we do. One of our most cherished initiatives is our backyard beehive, provided by the fantastic local business, Tiaki Bees. This endeavour not only supplies our bed and breakfast guests with delicious, homegrown honey but also supports local biodiversity and sustainable practices.

A Sweet Start to Your Day

Imagine waking up to the serene vistas of Wānaka, the sun rising over the Southern Alps, and a hearty breakfast waiting for you. At Copper Beech Lodge, we believe in providing our guests with the freshest, most sustainable start to their day. That’s why we’re thrilled to serve honey directly from our very own beehive, lovingly managed by Tiaki Bees.

Every morning, our guests can savour this golden nectar, knowing it comes straight from the flowers and trees right in our backyard. Our bees forage on a variety of blossoms, including the delicate cherry blossoms from our neighbour’s trees and the diverse fruit trees in our own garden. This not only makes our honey incredibly flavourful but also helps support the local ecosystem.

The Magic of Tiaki Bees

We’re proud to partner with Tiaki Bees, a local business dedicated to promoting sustainable beekeeping practices. Tiaki, meaning “to care for”, embodies their mission to protect and nurture bee populations. By collaborating with them, we contribute to the conservation of bees, which are crucial pollinators in our environment.

Tiaki Bees employs natural beekeeping methods, avoiding harmful chemicals and ensuring that their practices are in harmony with the environment. Their business model focuses on creating healthy, thriving bee colonies that forage widely across the region. Our bees benefit from this expansive range, collecting nectar from a variety of local flora, which contributes to the unique flavour profile of our honey.

The Importance of Bees in Sustainability

Bees play a vital role in maintaining the health of our ecosystems. They are key pollinators for many plants, including the fruit trees in our garden and the cherry blossoms next door. Without bees, the diversity and abundance of our local flora would be significantly diminished. This, in turn, would impact the entire food chain, including humans.

By keeping a beehive, we’re not just producing honey; we’re actively participating in the preservation of these essential insects. Our bees help pollinate the fruit trees, walnut tree, vegetables, hedges and flowers in our garden, leading to more bountiful harvests, healthier plants and better guest experiences. This natural cycle of pollination and growth is a beautiful example of regenerative practices in action.

Regenerative Tourism in Wānaka

Regenerative tourism goes beyond sustainability; it’s about actively improving and revitalising the environment and communities we touch. At Copper Beech Lodge, we strive to create experiences that allow our guests to connect with nature and understand the importance of environmental stewardship.

Our beehive is a perfect representation of regenerative tourism. By housing bees, we’re enhancing the local biodiversity and contributing to the health of our environment. Guests who enjoy our honey not only get a taste of Wānaka’s natural bounty but also learn about the critical role bees play in our ecosystem.

Supporting Local Business and Community

By partnering with Tiaki Bees, we’re supporting a local business that shares our commitment to sustainability. This partnership helps bolster the local economy and fosters a sense of community. It’s a wonderful example of how small businesses can work together to create positive change.

Additionally, by producing our own honey, we reduce the need for commercially transported goods, cutting down on carbon emissions and supporting local supply chains. This is just one of the many ways we’re working to make Copper Beech Lodge Wānaka a model of sustainable and regenerative tourism.

Love Wānaka: A Commitment to Sustainability

We are proud supporters of Love Wānaka, an initiative that promotes sustainable and regenerative tourism practices and supports the regeneration of Wānaka’s natural environment. Love Wānaka encourages visitors and locals alike to take care of our beautiful environment and ensure it remains pristine for future generations. By aligning with Love Wānaka, we reinforce our dedication to environmental stewardship and community well-being.

At Copper Beech Lodge, we offer more than just accommodation; we offer a lifestyle choice. Staying with us means embracing sustainability and participating in practices that benefit both people and the planet. Our beehive is a small but significant part of this mission, and we’re excited to share it with you.

A Sustainable Stay at Copper Beech Lodge

Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our beehive. At Copper Beech Lodge, we’ve implemented various eco-friendly practices to ensure your stay is as green as possible. From energy-efficient appliances and water-saving measures to locally sourced, organic ingredients for breakfasts where possible, every aspect of our lodge is designed with the environment in mind.

We also encourage our guests to explore Wānaka’s stunning natural beauty in sustainable ways. Whether it’s hiking, biking, or participating in eco-tours, there are countless opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors responsibly. We’re always happy to provide recommendations and tips on how to experience Wānaka’s wonders while minimising your environmental footprint.

Join Us in Making a Difference

When you stay at Copper Beech Lodge, you’re not just enjoying an authentic Kiwi getaway; you’re contributing to a larger mission of sustainability and regeneration. Our beehive is a small but significant part of this mission, and we’re excited to share it with you.

When you spread a spoonful of our honey on your morning toast, take a moment to appreciate the journey it took to get to your plate. From the blossoms of our garden and our neighbour’s cherry trees to the dedicated care of Tiaki Bees, each drop of honey is a testament to the beauty and interconnectedness of nature.

We invite you to join us in our efforts to protect and preserve Wānaka’s natural splendour. Together, we can make a difference, one bee, one blossom, and one spoonful of honey at a time.

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