Beehives at SPAA
Beekeeper Erik Dolstra: “We share the same mission: more bees, more biodiversity, more awareness” Wednesdays are for bees. For Erik Dolstra, it’s a weekly ritual. By day he’s a finance manager; in his spare time, a beekeeper – including for SEGRO. What began as a hobby has since grown into a buzzing business. “What still feels like a beautiful pastime also contributes to something much bigger: biodiversity and awareness of nature,” says Erik.
SEGRO and warehouses may seem like a more obvious combination than SEGRO and beehives. But if you know us, you know this: care for the environment – greenery, nature, biodiversity – is deeply embedded in our DNA and the way we work. That’s why you’ll now find five beehives at SEGRO Park Amsterdam Airport. They’re cared for by Erik, our beekeeper, who also bottles the honey produced by the bees.
Meerbijen: more bees, more life
As a child, Erik became fascinated by bees after watching a TV programme. His mother knew a local beekeeper, and after just one visit, Erik was hooked. Before he was even a teenager, he had two hives of his own. The hobby faded into the background during his university years but returned later, stronger than ever. His current bee business – aptly named Meerbijen (Dutch for "more bees") – began when students at the HAS University asked for his help with a graduation project. They needed a large supply of bees, and with the help of a project sponsor, Erik delivered. “That’s when I realised just how many companies are eager to contribute to nature conservation,” he says. “Beekeeping started becoming popular around 2015, and even more so today. That’s a great thing and an important one. Bees play an essential role in our ecosystems.”
The name Meerbijen says it all: “Bees are vital to biodiversity. More bees means more life.”
SEGRO recognises that importance too. Through our Community Investment Plan in Haarlemmermeer, we installed beehives at SPAA – and by “we,” of course, we mean Erik. “SEGRO asked me to place beehives on the park grounds,” Erik explains. “A fantastic idea, it contributes directly to local biodiversity. SPAA is a carefully designed business park where green spaces and nature play a key role. Beehives are a natural fit!”
40.000 new residents at SPAA
In mid-May, Erik introduced two bee colonies to their new home in SEGRO’s hives. Two of the five hives are now occupied; the others will follow later in 2025. “We’re starting with two colonies, about 40,000 bees in total,” he says. “It gives people on the park time to get used to their new neighbours. These are Buckfast bees, a gentle breed known for being friendly to both beekeepers and the public. They’re also strong and hardworking. The first honey harvest will take place in late spring, around the end of May or early June. The second, the summer harvest, is expected at the end of July. That means SPAA honey twice a year.”
Caring for a bee colony takes knowledge and experience. A professional beekeeper is essential. “You can’t just leave honeybees to their own devices,” says Erik. “They require maintenance. You need to check if the queen is still laying eggs, whether the bees are healthy, if the honeycombs need replacing, and most importantly – if the bees still have enough space and food. The honey they collect after July is theirs to keep, to help them survive the winter. That’s healthier for the bees, and fairer too.”
Visibility drives awareness
The hives are placed on floating platforms above a pond in the middle of SPAA – a smart and scenic location. “It’s ideal,” Erik explains. “The bees are close to a natural, flower-rich water’s edge and surrounded by greenery and blooming plants.”
“And it’s a very visible spot – which is important to both SEGRO and me. Visibility increases awareness. People working at the park see, every day, that bees are an essential part of a healthy environment.”
“People at SPAA see every day just how vital bees are to our ecosystem.”
This visibility ties into another SEGRO priority, especially through our Community Investment Plan: education. “The hives are fascinating to observe up close,” says Erik. “I invite SEGRO employees and clients to join me during hive inspections – put on a beekeeping suit and learn something new. It’s fun and informative. The same goes for schools: through the CIP, SEGRO invites school classes from the Haarlemmermeer region to SPAA to learn about biodiversity. And naturally, the beehives are a key stop along the way.”
“The hives themselves are also a sight to behold. They’ve been designed with sleek, slanted roofs and carry the SEGRO logo. A nod to the architectural quality of SEGRO’s buildings: distinctive and intentional, just as you’d expect from a real estate developer that takes design seriously,” Erik adds with a smile.
Visiting SPAA? Go see the bees!
Make sure to pass by the hives when you’re at SPAA. And if you’re lucky, you’ll catch Erik in action. Interested in having beehives at your own company? Visit www.meerbijen.nl