We have been working with the pupils in our local primary schools since June 2021 to improve biodiversity in their grounds and also around the villages.
Why is it important to increase the numbers of pollinators?
Natural pollinators play a vital role in the production of food. As you may know bees particularly and other pollinators are under threat from pollution, pathogens, pesticides and climate change. Apparently bees are responsible for 30 -35% of global food crops. Their economic and ecological contribution is significant. We are trying to increase the number of bee and insect friendly flowers in the villages. You can also ‘bee’ part of our ‘nectar corridors’ by choosing pollinator friendly flowers, plants and trees.
The importance of pollinators cannot be underestimated. Some attribute the following quote to Albert Einstein: “If the bee disappeared off the face of the Earth, man would only have four years left to live”.
Summer Term 2021
Suitable grassed over spaces were selected and we helped the pupils to carry out an insect and wildlife count in those areas.
Autumn Term 2021
With the assistance of volunteers, the teachers and parent helpers the turf was removed and the bare ground was planted with wildflower seeds. These were bought with money given to us through a grant from PHLP (Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership).
Spring Term 2022
We helped the children to carry out general maintenance eg. weed removal and reseeding of bare patches.
Summer Term 2022
The children carried out another pollinator count which confirmed an increase in the number and variety of bees, wasps and other insects (pollinators) using the wildflowers.
We also put wildflower seeds in various areas around the villages, on Turner Fold, Friendship Mill, Church St. Gardens and Simonstone Lane as well as Worthalls Rd.
The results have been very pleasing to the eye and will have attracted more bees and other pollinating insects.