Last spring, the Bee Totem was reveiled in the Plantagebuurt: a small, living ecosystem created to give the Reseda Masked Bee a home in the city. Now that autumn is well underway, the totem is changing with the season. The flowers have finished blooming, the worms slow down as temperatures drop, and the next generation of Reseda Masked Bees is resting safely as eggs or larvae, preparing for spring. A quiet phase — but a perfect moment to check how the totem is doing.
The totem functions as a circular system: worms transform (organic) kitchen waste into nutrients for the plants, the plants provide nectar and pollen — and the Reseda Masked Bee spreads biodiversity throughout the neighbourhood!
📲 The Karmagotchi – the heart of the project
At the bottom of the RefuBees website you’ll find the interactive Karmagotchi. It’s connected to the Dutch Meteorological Institute (KNMI) and tracks rain and temperature to show the real-time status of the totem:
https://refubees.org/nl/resedamaskerbij#karmagotchi
Scan the QR code on the pavement tile next to the totem and you’ll get there instantly. Here you can:
• Upload photos of the totem, plants or bees 🐝
• Report when you’ve given water 💧
• Indicate when you’ve added food
• See whether the system is thriving or lacking nutrients
🌍 A global movement
Worldwide, awareness is growing about the critical role of wild bees in biodiversity. Indigenous peoples have long advocated for fundamental rights for these species — and here in Amsterdam we’re well prepared for what’s coming. Want to join the international movement?
👉 Petition: https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/nl/stingless_bee_loc/
🤝 Get involved as a neighbour
In the Plantage, 25 hosts have already signed the RefuBee Covenant. Anyone can join:
👉 Covenant: https://refubees.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/covenant_RefuBee.pdf
Send it to: info@refubees.nl
It would be wonderful if neighbours form a small group — for example via WhatsApp — to divide tasks, share updates and motivate each other. Together we keep this mini-ecosystem healthy.
🧺 What you can do right now
There’s less active maintenance in autumn, but it’s the perfect time to prepare for spring:
- Check the Karmagotchi weekly
Scan the QR code or visit the website. - Upload a photo
This helps keep the monitoring complete and accurate. - Water when needed
Autumn is often moist, but always check the live status. - Feed the worms 🪱
Use clean, organic kitchen scraps:
• raw fruit & vegetables
• eggshells
• coffee grounds & tea bags
• a bit of cardboard
(No onions, citrus, dairy or meat.)
Put the waste in the opening at the top. If it’s already at 100%, use the wooden composter instead.
- Prepare your garden/balcony for spring
• Plant (organic) reseda when spring arrives
• Leave hollow stems in place as natural shelters for insects