Bees need farmers and farmers need bees. The economic value of insect pollination of crops and flowers is estimated by the UN at £134 billion a year. The Bumblebee Conservation Trust is working with farmers to introduce buffer strips around fields sown with wildflower seeds. As a result, in some areas of the UK bumblebees are making a comeback. Gardeners can help by planting traditional cottage garden flowers and native wildflowers.
Cornfield flowers including corn marigold, corncockle and scented mayweed attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators whose numbers have been decimated by intensive agriculture and urbanization.
Read more:
www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk
Farmers need bees
Wildflower meadow at Pleasington Old Hall, Lancashire © David Woodfall/Still Pictures
Read more:
www.lancswt.org.uk
