POLLINATORS AND YOU

Why The Buzzing Matters More Than You Think

Think about a warm summer's day in Hampshire. Maybe you're enjoying a picnic with pick-your-own strawberries, or perhaps you've admired the lovely wildflowers blooming on Overton Hill. What you might not immediately realise is the vital role tiny creatures are playing in making those moments possible: our pollinators.

Bees, butterflies, moths, hoverflies – these aren't just buzzing insects flitting about. They are the unsung heroes of our ecosystems and our dinner tables. They are the essential link in the chain that brings us everything from juicy apples grown in our Community Orchard to the stunning displays of bluebells that carpet Micheldever Wood in spring. Without them, our landscapes would be quieter, less colourful and our food supply would be drastically different.

Why Should You Care?

Here in the UK pollinators are having a tough time. We've witnessed a staggering decline in wildflower meadows – a loss of around 97% since the 1930s, according to Salisbury-based charity Plantlife. These meadows were once a haven for bees and other pollinators, providing them with the diverse food sources they need to thrive. Intensified agriculture and the spread of urban areas have fragmented their habitats, making it harder for them to find food and safe places to nest.

Think about the iconic chalk downlands of Hampshire. The delicate balance of these ecosystems relies heavily on pollinators. When their numbers dwindle, the entire web of life is affected, impacting everything from the birds that feed on insects to the health of the soil itself.

And it's not just about the environment. Consider the economic impact here in the UK. Pollination by insects contributes hundreds of millions of pounds to our crop production each year. From the apples in our cider to the oilseed rape that dots our landscapes with yellow, our farmers rely on these tiny workers. A decline in pollinators is a threat to our local food security and the livelihoods of the farmers themselves.

Small Actions, Big Impact

The good news is that we can make a difference. You don't need a sprawling estate or years of gardening experience to help our buzzing friends. Even small actions can create vital havens for pollinators. You can become one of our Pollinator Protectors!

Here are some things you can do in your own garden or even if you just have a few pots outside your front door to become a Pollinator Protector:

• Sow Some Seeds of Change: Choose pollinator-friendly plants for your garden. Think about native wildflowers like clover, poppies and knapweed, which are particularly beneficial for our local insects. Even herbs like lavender, rosemary, and thyme are bee magnets! Look for plants specifically recommended by organisations like the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust for their pollinator value.

• Become a Pesticide-Free Zone: Eliminate the use of pesticides in your garden. These chemicals can be directly harmful to pollinators and can also reduce the availability of their food sources. There are many natural and organic gardening methods you can explore.

• Give Them a Home: Leave patches of bare earth in your garden for ground-nesting bees. You can also create simple bee hotels using hollow stems or bamboo canes. Even a small, sheltered spot can become a vital nesting site.

• Let it Grow: Resist the urge to have a perfectly manicured lawn. Allowing some areas to grow a little wilder provides valuable foraging for pollinators. You might be surprised at the wildflowers that emerge! Participate in "No Mow May" to give pollinators an early boost.

• Quench Their Thirst: Provide a shallow dish of water with pebbles or marbles for bees and other insects to drink from without the risk of drowning.

• Get Involved Locally: Look for local initiatives and volunteer opportunities focused on pollinator conservation in Hampshire. The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust often has projects you can get involved in. And of course, Sustainable Overton are always looking for more volunteers to help with our outdoor projects. Now that SO has signed up to the Pollinator Pledge (a scheme run by Hampshire Countryside Service), we are going to be monitoring our pollinators up on Overton Hill which promises to be a fun project to get involved in.

  
  

Our pollinators are facing significant challenges, but the power to help them lies within our reach. By making small changes in our gardens and communities, we can create a network of havens that will allow these vital creatures to thrive. Let's make Hampshire a county where the buzz of life is loud and strong, ensuring a healthier and more beautiful future for all of us.