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Image credit: University of Bristol

We want the West of England to be the UK Pollinator Capital. We have developed some useful information and tips on how we can all play our part to support bees and pollinators across the region.

Pollinator Resources

Bee Bigger and Better 

We all need to protect, enhance, expand and connect space for nature so that pollinators and other crucial species can recover and thrive.

Businesses, local authorities and charities across the West of England are working together to protect, enhance and expand land for nature and pollinators through the region’s Nature Recovery Network.

Find out more about the Nature Recovery Network and how your business land can support wider activities in the region. The West of England Nature Partnership has a regular newsletter update and opportunities to meet other landowners.

Businesses with any access to outdoor space can make a difference for nature. Large scale projects such as a green roof, green walls, or tree-planting may suit businesses with larger areas of land.  Businesses with smaller outside spaces may focus on planters or supporting nesting sites.

The Town and Country Planning Association has a database of helpful factsheets.

Businesses that buy or sell food have  opportunities to support nature-friendly farming and growing practices by working in partnership with suppliers, farmers and landowners.

Food waste is a major issue that all businesses can work with employees and suppliers to address. There are lots of ideas and inspiration available from Love Food, Hate Waste.

The Nature Friendly Farming Network has free membership, training and events.

Pollinator Resources

Bee Mindful 

We all need to reduce and eliminate harmful pesticides on our green spaces, avoid habitat destruction and loss, and consider the wider impact of our use of natural materials. 

Many organisations are now reducing and eliminating use of pesticides on their sites. Pesticide Action UK has an online library of useful information and resources.

No Mow May’ and similar initiatives are free, and easy for businesses to join. Changing mowing practices on land and verges can have a significant impact for pollinators.

The Bristol Avon Catchment Market helps landowners develop nature-based projects on their land and gives businesses a practical way to meet their environmental goals. Businesses can buy environmental credits to support projects that deliver carbon sequestration, increased biodiversity and manage flood risk naturally.

To find out more about buying environmental credits visit the Bristol Avon Catchment Market website.

All businesses, whatever their size, have an impact on the natural environment through the products and services they buy. A sustainable procurement policy can establish a framework for buying decisions that reduces business impact on the natural world.

Some businesses start by reviewing options for choosing products that are environmentally certified or seeking advice from environmental organisations. A first step could be an internal review to explore common purchases made from natural materials.

 

Pollinator Resources

Bee Proud 

Together we can celebrate the great work already being done by organisations and communities in our cities, towns and villages, and make sure that everyone has the chance to access nature and play their part in our ambition to support the region’s pollinators. 

Supporting pollinators and nature-friendly places is a great opportunity for engaging employees in planning and delivery. This might include setting up an employee forum or task force to create an environmental action plan or having a team day out doing some practical volunteering on-site or on a local nature reserve.

Annual projects such as the City Nature Challenge provide support and free resources for business teams to work together on a citizen science challenge monitoring the distribution of pollinators in the region.

One way your business can support pollinators is by supporting local charities and community groups who are making a difference.

If your organisation has an annual ‘Charity of the Year’ or has an annual sponsorship fund, you could work with a local environmental charity to raise some much-needed funds and profile for everyone involved. In-kind support is just as valuable. You could donate space or time within your communications or social media channels to promote the work of a pollinator organisation. You may have land or space that can be shared or indoor facilities that can support volunteer groups.

We need more businesses to raise the profile of their work and our collective commitment to become Pollinator Capital of the UK. The Bee Bold Awards are running for the first time in 2022 and are a great way to showcase your business and the work you are doing for nature, and for people.

Continue to

Bee and pollinator capital

We want our region to the be UK Bee & Pollinator Capital, with a range of habitats and spaces for our bees and wildlife to flourish.

Bee Bold Awards

The Bee Bold Awards celebrate organisations that are taking action to support bees and pollinators.

Tackling the ecological emergency

Our Climate and Ecological Strategy and Action Plan sets the ambition for nature to be in recovery by 2030 and increase the abundance of wildlife by 30% in 2030.