Planting for Pollinators, a joint project between Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumbria Wildlife Trust, has been awarded The Bees' Needs Award Champion by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The awards recognise and celebrate examples of exceptional initiatives undertaken to support pollinators.
Since the project's launch in 2023, 22 sites have begun their transformation to species-rich lowland meadow or pollinator-friendly community gardens. From these 22 sites, a total of 4.2 hectares of pollinator-friendly habitats have been created across Westmorland and Furness, supporting local pollinator populations and transforming our green spaces into nature-rich spaces for residents to enjoy.
Over the last three years, Cumbria Wildlife Trust has been instrumental in supporting the project through the delivery of a programme of community-led pollinator themed events and training, equipping local communities, schools and town and parish councils who want to take action for nature with the knowledge and skills to manage and enjoy the sites.
Councillor John Murray, Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member Climate, Biodiversity and Regulatory Services, said:
"We're delighted that our collaborative work with Cumbria Wildlife Trust has been recognised as a great example of supporting our vital pollinators to survive and thrive. The role that bees, and other pollinating insects, play in pollination, biodiversity and food production is vital and the Planting for Pollinators project is a great example of how we can work together to reverse pollinator decline and connect communities to their local green spaces.
"A huge thank you to everyone who has been involved in the success of this project to date, and a reminder to everyone that they have a part to play in encouraging more beautiful and buzzing insects in our local area. We can all take simple steps to help protect our pollinators and help to restore our natural environment. From growing more nectar rich flowers, shrubs and trees, letting patches of garden and land grow wild and cutting the grass less often, to not disturbing insect nests and hibernation spots, and thinking carefully about whether to use pesticides."
Tanya St. Pierre, Grassland and Pollinator Team Manager for Cumbria Wildlife Trust, added:
"Over the last 10 years we've seen worrying downward trends in wild pollinator numbers across the UK. Well-loved insects such as butterflies, bumblebees and hoverflies have declined by up to 34%*. This follows continued years of declines over the last century. Nature reserves are simply not enough to help support these species alone. Often, we can feel powerless and unsure of what we can do to help. This joint project aimed to address this right from the very start, by providing opportunity and know-how on how to do something positive for pollinators on your doorstep.
"In collaboration with Westmorland and Furness Council, we've been able to work closely with communities, groups and schools across the area, to provide them with the opportunity and skills needed to establish and manage natural wildflower-rich habitats in their local green spaces. I'm delighted to say that over 700 people have directly taken action to help support pollinators, creating habitats that are a lifeline, providing much-needed pollen, nectar and larval foodplants for insects in the heart of our villages and towns across Westmorland and Furness.
"We're absolutely thrilled to receive this prestigious award from DEFRA in recognition of all the hard work carried out by everyone as part of Planting for Pollinators in Westmorland and Furness. With the ongoing sympathetic management of these sites by the Council, in conjunction with local groups and communities, I look forward seeing these wildflowers sites and the pollinator species they support flourish.
"This project is ongoing, please do get in touch if you'd like to be involved: pollinators@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk."
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