The environment is near and dear to our hearts here at Yon-Ka Paris, and we are committed to doing everything we can to give back to the world that’s given us so much. In honor of that commitment, we are pleased to announce the fifth year of our Save the Bees campaign.
Why We’re Supporting This Initiative
Small as they are, bees play an essential role in the environment. Bees are natural pollinators that pollinate approximately 75% of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts grown in the United States, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
It is estimated that one out of every four bites of food you take is the result of bee pollination. Strong bee populations are the key to our survival and the long-term health of our planet. Sadly, their numbers are dwindling, and humans are not entirely blameless.
Significant declines in the bee population have been linked to a phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder. It happens when the majority of worker bees in a colony disappear, leaving behind the queen and young bees with no one to care for them. Mites have also been a threat to bees lately, invading and devastating entire colonies. Increased use of pesticides and destruction of native plants affects bee populations as well.
According to professionals, 2021 was “One of the worst years for beekeeping in France.” Barely 7,000 tons of honey were harvested in France, despite its popularity in this country (40,000 tons are consumed every year). After the chaotic 2021 season, elected officials proposed a resolution aiming to combat declining bee populations.
Bees have now become a “major national cause” for 2022. For years, Yon-Ka has been raising awareness about bee protection among its subsidiaries and distributors, who are flocking to join the cause.
This year, Yon-Ka led a collaboration with beekeeper Philippe Chavignon to harvest organic lavender honey bearing the Yon-Ka brand. He has run his operation in Guillaumes, in southeastern France, since 1995, and sells “AB” certified organic honey. The colony counts around 100 hives in recent years despite significant winter losses. Philippe Chavignon ensures that the transhumance is as local as possible within a radius of 20 km as the bird flies, apart from lavender on the Valensole plateau in southeastern France.
Using Limited Edition Lotion Yon-Ka To Give Back
For each bottle of Limited Edition Lotion Yon-Ka purchased, €1 will be donated to the association “Un toit pour les abeilles” (A roof for our bees). Yon-Ka’s contribution will continue to fund flower field planting and the protection of 750,000 bees in hives located in Provence.
Since 2014, this Yon-Ka bestseller has been reinterpreted by female artists. For this
new limited edition Lotion Yon-Ka we showcase the magic and beauty of nature.
The chosen artist for this years limited edition run is Sue Miano, a painter in love with watercolor, known as @colorsbysue on Instagram.
Her work focuses on readapting wildflowers with precision and flair, which helped her to imagine the perfect cocktail of admirably orchestrated chance meetings, giving rise to something both unforeseeable and a completely natural matter of course.
In this simple composition, imbued with meaning, the full poetry of Yon-Ka is apparent in the paintings of flora and little bees (a nod to the brand’s commitment to the “Un toit pour les abeilles” nonprofit to provide “a roof for our bees”). By using watercolor techniques and a multitude of pastel shades, artist Sue Miano symbolizes beauty, serenity, and poetry at once.
What Else We’re Doing To Help…
As pioneers in the natural skincare industry, Yon-Ka Paris is consistently looking for ways to give back and preserve Mother Nature for future generations. Below are a number of additional ways we’re actively doing this…
- Sourcing our plant-based active ingredients while respecting biodiversity and people in order to limit our environmental impact by opening up sustainable supply chains.
- A more responsible packaging policy: 100% recyclable* boxes, tubes, glass bottles,
and leaflets (which will soon be eliminated), leaflets printed with plant-based ink, and cardboard from forests sustainably managed by a Swedish company that’s one of the world’s 100 most sustainable companies. - An increasingly eco-friendly production site.
- A commitment to preserving biodiversity by funding planting endeavors in flower fields in southern and northern France. These are the flowers that supply healthy nectars and pollens during periods when pollinators lack food.
Your time on Earth may be limited, but the legacy you leave behind lives on forever. Join Yon-Ka in our fight to save the bees and ensure that those who come after you enjoy a beautiful future.
Learn more about our Limited Edition Lotion Yon-Ka products here.
