More than 200 people tuned in to learn about the importance of pollinators at an event last week (Thursday 18 February).
Hosted by West Sussex County Council, the virtual event 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.
The 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.”
The importance of protecting pollinating insects has been highlighted by West Sussex County Council in the Pollinator Action Plan.
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