the world’s first insect ‘influencer’ has taken to instagram to make a buzz around an important cause: bees. the social media presence named b was created by fondation de france in june 2019, and aims to raise funds in order to save the insect from possible extinction.

images courtesy @bee_nfluencer

since it was created, B has gained more than 137,000 followers. fondation de france hopes that B’s huge instagram presence will be an incentive for brands to partner with the insect to promote their products.

money generated will then make its way to the organization’s bee fund, and used to finance the rebuilding of habitats, raise awareness, educate people n the impact of pesticides on pollinators and convert farmers to pollinator-friendly techniques.

‘I want to please brands around the world to raise money to save bees, many of which disappear every year,’ reads b’s campaign website. ‘I need you: the more subscribers I have on instagram, the more brands will be interested and the more money I will reap.’

friends of the earth estimate that since 1900, the UK has lost 13 species of bee. there are 35 species at threat of extinction, too, which equates to 1 in 10 across europe.

created in 1969, the fondation de france is a leading philanthropic network in france that operates in every region to bring together donors, founders, volunteers and operatives in the field. it details that in france, over 30-percent of bee colonies disappear every year.

‘with 50 years of experience, the fondation de france supports generosity and guarantees its effectiveness,’ says the organization. ‘it created the bee fund to fund the actions considered as the most fundamental and urgent in the protection of all species of bees.’

project info

organization: fondation de france

handles: @bee_nfluencer