Event to promote pollinators makes a buzz in West Sussex
Experts have been giving tips on how to save our bees and other insects
A virtual event encouraging West Sussex residents to learn more about the importance of pollinators has proved a big success.
More than 200 people took part in the event, which included talks by bee expert Professor Dave Goulson, the Sussex Wildlife Trust, guitarist Richard Durrant and West Sussex County Council's Youth Cabinet, to delve a little further into how we can all love pollinators better.
Creating ‘insect hotels,’ cutting out pesticides and letting weeds take root, were just some of the suggestions for making pollinator friendly habitats in our gardens.
West Sussex County Council is also supporting schemes to encourage pollinator-friendly grass verges.
A Community Road Verge scheme has been developed and the council is working with communities across the country to create grass verges where pollinator friendly plants have a chance to grow.
Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, said:
“Pollinators are incredibly important to our planet’s eco-system but their population is falling.
“Pesticides, farming and loss of grassland have all contributed to the problem. But as we learnt at the event, we can all help to reverse this decline and help pollinators to thrive in West Sussex.
“Here at West Sussex County Council, our Community Road Verge scheme has started and we’re currently working with nine areas across the county to create nature friendly verges. We will be sharing lots more about this scheme in the coming weeks.
“It was really encouraging to see so many residents at the event, who told us how much they enjoyed it and were inspired to take action themselves. I would like to thank everyone who worked together to make the evening such a success.”