Bee in the know about our local pollinators

Summer is well underway but there’s still time left to spot some of our most important pollinators if you are out in one of the borough’s beautiful green spaces over the next month.

In fact, August is the last month that you can see the eight bumblebee species that inhabit lowland Britain. Check out a handy guide to identifying the numerous different species you may encounter courtesy of the Bumble Bee Conservation Trust.  

There are 24 species of bumblebee in the UK and these, alongside other pollinating insects, play a vital role in enriching our local ecosystem and green spaces. Not only do they contribute to our food security but they are key for the conservation of biodiversity.    

And if you want to learn more, then why not pop along to one of our free ‘Bee in the know’ events, taking place in local parks in the coming weeks? You can find out about how to take action for nature, learn about bees and what they need and make your own bee block to give bees a home near you.

The events are free and drop-in (booking preferred). They take place at the following locations:

• Thomas Gamuel Park, 26 August (11am to 1pm)
• Leyton Jubilee Park, 28 August (11am to 1pm)
• Lloyd Park, 31 August (2:30pm to 4:30pm)
• Henry Reynolds Gardens, 2 September (11am to 1pm)
• Pimp Hall Nature Reserve, 14 September (11am to 1pm)
• Highams Park, 19 September (11am to 1pm)

Email the Council’s partners Groundworks for further information on the events and to book.

The Council is committed to boosting the numbers of bees we have here in the borough and enhancing the habitats that allow them to thrive. It is working with local to help expand its successful #BeeFriendlyStreet initiative and anyone interested is being urged to get in contact so they can get the support to get started.

Establishing a #BeeFriendlyStreet gives people the opportunity to control and manually remove what are traditionally viewed as 'weeds'. This is more sustainable for pollinators such as bees and helps the Council continue to reduce the use of chemicals in its management of local streets. 

Cllr Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate said: “We have a brilliant set of drop-in events coming up in our local parks designed to give local people a helping hand in helping our vital bees and pollinators and I encourage everyone to come along.

“We know how crucial bees and other pollinators are to our lives, which is why we want to do even more as a Council to protect them, after all, they contribute hugely to having a rich ecosystem and biodiversity in green spaces across the borough, as well as on a larger environmental scale.

“This is also a call to action to anyone who wants to do their bit for our bees, particularly as we know more and more residents want to help us respond to the climate and biodiversity crisis. 

“By giving up a just few hours on your street each year, you can contribute to improving the local biodiversity.”

Email the Council at beefriendlystreets@walthamforest.gov.uk to get involved.