Over the past century, the UK’s Bumblebee populations have crashed, with two species completely extinct and several others experiencing dramatic declines. They are hungry and homeless, as national changes to our landscape mean that good nesting sites and flowers are now in short supply. Bumblebees, who are vital for the pollination of wildflowers, fruits, and vegetables, urgently need our help!
This year our school has made significant strides in creating a bee friendly environment by both creating a wildflower meadow and planting ‘pollinator friendly’ plants around our car park and playgrounds. As a direct result of these efforts, two colonies of Whitetail Bumblebees have made their homes on our school site! Our pupils were absolutely fascinated during a recent assembly, where they learnt about these insects through resources provided by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. They were particularly amazed to discover the incredible variety and number of bee species.
Our Eco Warriors have taken a keen interest in identifying different types of Bumblebees, with some spotting both Whitetail and Redtail Bumblebees! In recognition of our hard work, we have applied for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s Bronze Award to become a Bumblebee Friendly School.
Warden Hill Eco Warriors are calling upon our entire community to ‘BEE the Change!’ Together, we can make a difference for these incredible creatures and the environment around us!
