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Our Blog - A Guide to Bumblebees & Biodiversity
Pollinator Power: A Guide to Bumblebees & Biodiversity, is the latest free online course, hosted by The Bumblebee Conservation Trust's Education Manager Andy Benson, in just seven sharp, science-packed modules. Set in our organic gardens in Dorset, viewers are walked through the important roles bees play within our ecosystem, and the vital ways in which they can take action to support them.
Course Highlights:
Understanding Bumblebees: Explore the fascinating evolution of bumblebees from ancient wasps, and their essential role in British ecosystems.
Species Identification: Learn how to identify the “Big Eight” bumblebee species most commonly found in the UK using a simple two-step method.
The Power of Pollination: Discover how unique adaptations, like buzz pollination and static electricity, make bumblebees elite pollinators.
Creating Bee-Friendly Habitats: Practical tips on building thriving pollinator pit stops in gardens, balconies, and community spaces.
Taking Action: Learn effective ways to support bumblebee conservation, from planting diverse flowers to avoiding harmful pesticides.
A Founding Partnership
Inspired by our long-standing commitment to biodiversity and environmental stewardship, we played a pivotal role in the launch of Earthed, an innovative charity and learning platform teaching individuals how to restore nature and grow food at home. The Pollinator Power course builds on our commitment to protecting the natural world, offering practical, hands-on guidance to inspire positive change and empower communities to take action.
A Founding Partnership
Andy Benson, Education Manager at the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and leader of Pollinator Power: A Guide to Bumblebees & Biodiversity shares his favourite bee facts to keep you buzzing:
- We have around 275 species of bee in the UK, 24 of those are our bumblebee and around 250 are what we call solitary bees. Our one species of honeybee is mostly domesticated.
- Bumblebees can see colours undetectable by the human eye – they have UV vision and are able to see ultraviolet patterns on flowers, guiding them to nectar.
- All 24 species of bees in the UK have different tongue lengths which are adapted to different flower shapes and types, meaning they can pollinate a huge diversity of plants.
- Bumblebees pollinate around 1/3 of the food we eat and contribute around £600 million to the UK economy every year.
- Bumblebees bigger, hairier bodies mean that they transfer more pollen between flowers, making them some of the best pollinators around.
- Bumblebees leave chemical footprints on flowers, signalling depleted nectar to others.
Protecting our pollinators
In recent decades, our insect population has been seriously affected by urban growth and agricultural development particularly with the use of pesticides. In the UK alone flying insects have declined by nearly 60% over the last 20 years and 97% of British wildflower meadows have been lost since the 1930s – that’s a staggering 7.5 million acres of pollinator habitat gone. We have been working with some incredible foundations, charities, trusts and organisations to mitigate and improve the prospects of our essential pollinators, but there is still more to be done.
Bee-autiful flowers for you and the bees
Helping bees is easier than you think. Just plant one of these pollen-rich flowers to boost bee populations. Join the movement to save our most powerful pollinators.
Rosemary and Thyme – This dynamic duo is perfect for window ledge gardeners.
Lavender – Dutch or English Lavender is best for bees and is beautifully calming.
Echinacea – These flowers have wonderfully large landing pads and a pop of colour to any garden.
Borage – These long-flowering, nectar-rich blooms are bee-friendly and delicious topped on salads.