Initiative to protect pollinators

THE National Botanic Garden of Wales has joined forces with the Welsh Government to help support a unique initiative to protect our precious pollinators.

The Bee Friendly Scheme, run by the government’s Pollinator Taskforce, has been developed to encourage organisations and communities up and down Wales to take action to help pollinators by providing guidance on forage, nesting sites, reducing pesticides and community involvement.

And the Botanic Garden’s science team has provided expert advice for a special booklet detailing the top plants for pollinators to guide growers on what to plant throughout the year.

Taskforce spokesperson Kathleen Carroll said: “It is the first co-ordinated national scheme of its kind. We want all organisations around Wales to get involved, including communities and community organisations, schools, public bodies, town and community councils, businesses, universities, colleges and places of worship.”

Kathleen added: “The Bee Friendly scheme is not just about bees. We want people to take action to help all our pollinators.”

Botanic Garden science officer Dr Abigail Lowe said: “The research work that the team is carrying out here has helped build up a very clear picture about which plants are perfect for pollinators.

“We are very proud to be playing a key role in this fantastic scheme and we hope that this new booklet will give the people of Wales all the knowledge they need to do the right thing by pollinators.”

Based on the Botanic Garden’s cutting-edge research, Dr Lowe has selected 30 plants that will help make your space more attractive to pollinators, whether that’s a community area, lawn, backyard, or containers and window boxes on a balcony.

You can find out more about the Bee Friendly scheme and download a booklet at https://www. biodiversitywales.org.uk/ Bee-Friendly

You can also get your hands on a hard copy of the booklet. Just ask when you next visit the Botanic Garden in Llanarthne, near Carmarthen.