Pledge for Nature
Support Bees
Bees are vital to pollinate both flowers and food crops. Climate change and the use of pesticides are threatening their numbers.
They are the most important insects on the planet securing the future of our fresh vegetables and fruit.
Pledge 1 – Pesticide free garden
Pesticides especially neonicotinoids can be fatal to bees and are banned in France. Keeping your garden pesticide free and as organic as possible will help bees, hedgehogs, and other small wild mammals (and us!) survive.
For more information:
Gardening without pesticides
What if bees went extinct? (BBC website)
Pledge 2 – Make a Bee Hotel
Solitary bees live and build their nests alone,in hollow stems and beetle holes. Create a hotel where they can lay their eggs and it is likely they will take up residence.
Friends of the Earth website: Make a bee house
Woodland Trust website: How to make bee hotel
Bee Wild Buckfastleigh – video 1
Bee Wild Buckfastleigh – video 2
Pledge 3 – Site a Beehive
Keeping bees is a fascinating pastime and each hive helps replenish the bee pollinators. If you are interested in beekeeping courses are run at:
Buckfast Abbey Bee Dept
Clare Densley and Martin Haan
Tel: 01364 645514
Totnes and Kingsbridge Beekeepers
Lilah Killock, Secretary.
Email - lilahkillock@btinternet.com
Pledge 4 – Plant bee-attracting plants
Bees forage from nectar and pollen rich flowers.Bee species’ tongues vary in size so it is good to provide different shaped flowers.Find suggestions on the following websites.
Friends of the Earth website – bee-friendly plants
Gardeners World website – Plants for bees
Sustainable Dittisham
For everyone who lives in, works in and visits the parish of Dittisham in South Devon
Contact
