Kent’s Plan Bee – Explained
What is Kent Plan Bee?
Kent’s Plan Bee is a pollination action plan which is aiming to improve the way in which insects are looked after across the county.
This is part of a bigger project across the country due to the decline in insects- specifically pollinators due to pesticides, lack of habitats and a change in temperature over time.
Every month, there is a newsletter released on the Kent County Council Website which provides the latest updates on Kent Plan Bee and how you can get involved.
What are the objectives of the plan?
The action plan was released in July 2021 where it states each objective they hope to achieve which are specified on the Kent County Council Website as:
- For Kent County Council to manage the land it owns or controls or can influence in a way which can benefit pollinators’ forage and habitat.
- For Kent County Council to use the planning system to protect pollinators and improve the habitats on which they rely.
- To mobilise the people of Kent, to take action themselves. Kent’s Plan Bee aims to help them to greater awareness of the importance of pollinators in all our lives and everybody’s need and ability to act to protect them.
What has been done so far?
Most recently, there has been a bus added on the Thameside’s rapid transit service,FastTrack which has got signage of Kent’s Plan Bee covering it. This is a big step in raising awareness of this important action plan and enables people to become aware of its presence in the county.
The bus itself runs between Dartford and Gravesend and the bus route hopes to encourage new wildlife by planting wild flowers on the verges of the bus route.
What are pollinators?
Pollinators are important for the wildlife and food that we produce and eat as well as maintaining the ecosystem.
Through the process of pollinating, it enables plants to reproduce and help the fertilisation of seeds and fruit to then be produced for us to enjoy, as without the pollinators we would not have lovely fresh fruit and vegetables to enjoy.
(Image: Wendy Laffan- Kent Association of Beekeepers)
How you can help the pollinators?
The Kent County Council Website provides information which describes how you can help in your own gardens.
No Mow May is approaching, so why not leave your lawn to grow for the month in hope to encourage new species of pollinators into your garden.
The main things you can do to help are to plant lots of variations of flowers, this will encourage more creatures to come into your garden.
Another way that you can help is to create bug hotels which can be made from left over materials at home. Bug hotels provide a shelter to the pollinators, this is particularly important during the winter months when it it is colder and a lesser amount of shelter is available for them.
Who are the top pollinators?
- Wild Honey Bees
- Bumble Bees
- Butterflies
By introducing new species of plants and flowers, you are providing these top pollinators a place to visit in your garden.
As well an encouraging wildlife, you garden will be full of colour as the summer months are upon us.
(Feature Image: Wendy Laffan- Association of Beekeepers)