A national initiative, believed to be the first in the world aimed at encouraging people to help pollinators, including bees and butterflies, will be launched today.
Friends of the Earth Cymru has joined Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths in welcoming ‘Bee Friendly’, a brand new scheme which seeks to help all pollinators by creating a nation of Pollinator-Friendly communities and organisations.
Bee Friendly is aimed at communities and community organisations, schools, public bodies, town and community councils, businesses, universities and colleges, places of worship and many other organisations, all around Wales.
The Four Goals of Bee Friendly are:
- Food – providing pollinator-friendly food sources.
- Five Star accommodation – providing places for insect pollinators to live.
- Freedom from pesticides and herbicides – committing to avoid chemicals that harm pollinators.
- Fun – involving all the community and telling people why you are helping pollinators.
Lesley Griffiths said:
“I am pleased to offer my support to the launch of ‘Bee-Friendly’.
“While the focus of the campaign is very much on encouraging people to get involved in an enjoyable way there is a serious message too. Pollinators are in decline and this risks our capacity to produce food, timber and fibre.
“By participating in the four Bee Friendly themes we can protect pollinators and deliver multiple economic, social and environmental benefits for local communities.”
Friends of the Earth spokesperson Bleddyn Lake said:
“Once again Wales is leading the way in environmental initiatives.
“We know that bees and other pollinators are in trouble due to factors such as habitat loss, pesticide use and climate change.
“The good news is that we can all help. The launch today of the Welsh Action Plan for Pollinators Taskforce’s Bee Friendly initiative is a fantastic step forward and something we can all get involved in whether it is in our schools, in our communities, places where we work or worship, anywhere!”
The Cabinet Secretary added:
“This is the first national scheme of its kind in the UK and probably the world so let’s get buzzing and make Wales the most Bee Friendly nation in the world.”
The launch of ‘Bee-Friendly’ took place during the Wales Biodiversity Partnership Conference, in Bangor University. Details on how to get involved in ‘Bee Friendly’ will be available shortly on the Wales Biodiversity Partnership website.
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