A new comic in the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Comics series has just been released, inviting readers to explore the complexity of pollinator-friendly design through storytelling, humour, and ecological insight.
A story about thriving ecosystems — or are they?
To Bee or Not to Bee follows a newcomer arriving at “Sweet-Spot” to evaluate a flower-strip community and report back to headquarters. What appears at first glance to be a flourishing pollinator haven soon raises deeper questions: is this place truly thriving for biodiversity, or only for some species?
Through this playful yet thought-provoking narrative, the comic explores how nature-based solutions such as flower strips — widely used to support pollinators and biodiversity — must be carefully designed and contextualised to support whole ecosystems, not just visible outcomes.
Why this comic matters
Pollinator-friendly interventions are increasingly promoted across Europe and globally as NbS that support food systems, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Yet the comic reminds us that:
- NbS success depends on ecological inclusivity, considering nesting habitats, food sources, and species interactions
- Not all green interventions are equal — thriving landscapes must support diverse pollinators and life cycles
- Observation and adaptive design are essential for long-term ecosystem health
By bringing science into an engaging narrative format, To Bee or Not to Bee encourages practitioners, policymakers, and communities to look beyond appearances and ask deeper questions about what “thriving” truly means in nature-based solutions.
Part of the NbS Comics initiative
The comic is part of the NbS Comics series produced by The Nature of Cities with NetworkNature and partners, translating research and practice into accessible visual storytelling that champions biodiversity, climate resilience, and community action.
As Europe advances its Nature Restoration and biodiversity goals, stories like this help bridge science, practice, and public imagination — reminding us that effective NbS require curiosity, care, and continuous learning.
Read it here: https://nbscomics.com/2026/02/17/to-bee-or-not-to-bee/
