Lady Ripple launch urban beehives in Florence

Florence’s newest urban beehives have been installed in the Porte Sante cemetery by the San Miniato al Monte basilica.

Florence’s urban hive initiative was officially launched on September 17. The partnership between the Bee the Ripple Association, the City of Florence, the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte and Fior da Fiore Organic Apiculturists is a campaign that promotes the biodiversity of nature, urban beekeeping and an awareness for the need of bees for the health of people and the environment. The inauguration was timed to correspond with the 2021 G20 Agriculture Ministers Meeting in Florence. 

The frontage of the hives, designed by artist Sofia Volpe, depicts the façade of the 12th-century basilica. In the coming weeks, a video of the hives will be live streamed on the City of Florence’s website.

Bee the Ripple Association is a newly formed Italian charity by Florentine residents Laura Shadden and Allyson Volpe, two Americans who have created Lady Ripple LLC, an awareness and lifestyle brand with sustainability at its core. Their hand-made bee jewellery and charity advocate living in better balance with nature, promoting biodiversity and highlighting the plight of bees.

On October 17, the pair will host their first Bee the Ripple charity event, called The Secret Life of Bees, at the Secret EdV Gardens, just below San Miniato Al Monte. It will be a day of discovery consisting of participants suiting up to learn more about beekeeping. A bilingual audio guide will be usable on smartphones and 50-minute beekeeping tours will take place with a maximum of eight people per tour. Suggested donations are 15 euro for entrance to the gardens, with 50 suggested for entrance, the tour and a snack, and 50 euro if you wish to sponsor an urban beehive.

For more information, visit www.ladyripple.com or contact [email protected].