17
PROPOSAL
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Saving the sound of summer.
Working together to save the sound of summer.
Gill PerkinsT: 07525115503E: [email protected]
Introduction 2
1.0 About the Bumblebee Conservation Trust 2
1.1 Why we need to protect bumblebees 2
1.2 Our Conservation Activities 3
1.3 Our Success 3
2.0 Working together to save the sound of summer 5
3.0 Opportunities 5
3.1 West Country Buzz – Pasture for Pollinators 6
3.2 West Country Buzz – Bees on the Map 6
3.3 West Country Buzz – Back from the Brink 7
4.0 Other Opportunities 7
4.1 Practical Conservation 7
4.2 Volunteering 8
5.0 BBCT corporate partners 8
6.0 Raising awareness and PR opportunities 9
7.0 Conclusion 10
Appendix 1 11
Contents
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IntroductionThis proposal is intended to offer an overview of a potential working partnership between national conservation charity the Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BBCT) and a corporate partner.
1.0 About the Bumblebee Conservation TrustThe Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BBCT) was established in 2006 to address the decline of the UK’s bumblebees. There are currently 25 species of bumblebee in the UK, representing approximately 10% of the world’s bumblebee species. Of these, 2 are extinct and 10 are BAP-listed priority species threatened with extinction. BBCT is the only UK charity dedicated entirely to supporting the conservation of bumblebees and has a huge wealth of knowledge and expertise in bumblebee ecology and conservation.
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust believe in making a difference here and now to safeguard the future of bumblebees.
Charitable aims: 1. Support the conservation of all bumblebees, rare or
abundant2. Raise awareness and increase understanding about
bumblebees and the social, economic, environmental and cultural benefits which they and other pollinators provide
3. Ensure BBCT is sustainable, fit for purpose, and able to respond quickly to challenges and change.
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s vision is to ensure that our communities and countryside will be rich in bumblebees and colourful wildflowers, supporting a diversity of wildlife and habitats for everyone to enjoy.
Strategic objectives:1. Building Evidence.2. Building Advocacy and Influence.3. Fostering Habitat Provision.4. Fostering Public Engagement.5. Building Capacity.
1.1 Why we need to protect bumblebees“Our natural ecosystems would be radically altered and much poorer without insect
pollinators and in the UK, the predominant pollinators are bumblebees.”
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The rare Shrill carder bumblebee (Bombus slyvarum)
Prof Dave Goulson, a Sting in the Tale, 2013.
Bumblebees are keystone species and they play a unique and crucial role in the way an ecosystem functions. Pollinating around 80% of native wildflower species and a significant number of the crops we rely on the ‘free-bee’ service they provide, which is estimated to be worth around £691 million to the UK economy annually1. Without them, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist. Their importance cannot be overstated: bee declines have been linked to reduced floristic diversity and wider biodiversity losses.
The decline of these iconic and charismatic insects can be attributed to a suite of multiple pressures including, climate change, pathogens, increased use and toxicity of pesticides, and undoubtedly the loss of habitat. Since the Second World War over three million hectares (98%) of lowland meadow have been converted to intensive agriculture, urban development or simply been neglected.
The removal of flowers from our countryside, often in favour of monoculture crops, has left bumblebees with little to feed on – leaving them hungry and homeless. Causing populations to plummet. Without bumblebees our diets would be very bland. Raspberries, strawberries, apples and tomatoes are all pollinated by bumblebees.
Conservationists have long recognised the importance of wild bees and their habitats, but the public also values them highly, not just as an interesting wild species, but because we rely on them for much of our food production, and for flower pollination. All people will be affected by the effects of reduced pollination if bees do not receive the help they need. Many are now realising this and want to help.
A recent yougov.co.uk poll showed that British people consider the decline in bee numbers to be the most serious environmental issue (85%), above even climate change (83%). It also showed that bees are the one endangered species most people would save: 57% (compared to red squirrels: 14%).
1.2 Our Conservation ActivitiesWe deliver all this through five work areas:
1. Building Evidence: There is evidence that the UK’s bumblebees and other pollinating insects are declining, but very little data on population densities. BBCT, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Natural England, and others are gathering, using and making available scientifically robust data.
2. Building influence and advocacy: We aim to ensure policy interventions are rational, balanced and based on the best available evidence. We are influencing and assisting in delivering the UK’s national pollinator plans.
1 Potts et al 2014
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3. Fostering habitat provision: Our conservation work has predominantly supported the conservation of rare bumblebees, by increasing flower-rich habitat. We are experienced in habitat management and managing and delivering large-scale, ambitious, grant-funded projects. The three year HLF-funded Bees for Everyone (BfE) was hugely successful, exceeding targets and enabling us to become one of the leading advisors on creating bumblebee habitat. Demand for our specialist habitat management advice is increasing.
4. Fostering public engagement: We are experienced in public engagement, targeting the public, landowners, businesses, statutory bodies, decision makers, local authorities, teachers, community groups, and other conservation charities. Since 2012, we have engaged 30,000 people.
5. Building capacity: BBCT is growing steadily. We have systems to support staff and volunteers, keep track of their work and ensure we work efficiently and sustainably.
1.3 Our SuccessWe know our work is effective and so do our members. In a recent consultation 92% of them said they believe their donation to BBCT is making a difference to the plight of the UK’s bumblebees.
After eight years, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust have: The support and commitment of 8505 members. Engaged the support of 588 volunteers. Worked with over 400 farmers and landowners to create, restore or enhance
over 3,000 hectares of flower-rich habitat for bumblebees. Raised over £2.5 million for bumblebee conservation work. Won three awards - “Best Environmental Project, at the televised National Lottery
Awards; the Impact Award for Outstanding Environmental Impact through Innovation; and a Global Vision Award for habitat restoration work.
Raised awareness of bumblebee conservation issues and how people can help through our website, events, media campaigns and partnerships with other NGOs.
Grown our website audience – we had over 300,000 unique visits in 2013, who viewed 1.6 million pages.
Over 28,000 ‘Likes’ on Facebook 0ver 28,000 Followers on Twitter Provided expert advice to interested members of the public on all aspects of
bumblebee ecology – in the last year we carried out 357 events and engaged with over 20,000 people.
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Played a leading role in developing the government’s National Pollinator Strategy for England.
Launched “Beekind” – a free, online gardening ‘app’ which enables people to make their gardens more bee-friendly. In its first year, 21,308 people used this facility.
Participated in and funded high quality scientific research to underpin our conservation policies including ground breaking report into the issues surrounding the importation of bumblebees for commercial purposes was published and Natural England changed licensing based on Peter Greystock’s research. Peter went on to be a NERC runner up for innovation.
Provided guidance to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) scientist on issues affecting bumblebees and the need for enhanced monitoring of their populations.
Successfully carried out and achieved set targets on a £740k project called ‘Bees for Everyone’ that aimed to provide 1200 ha of habitat for bumblebees, engage the general public and provide useful information about what people can do to help the plight of our bumblebees.
Recently been awarded £112,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop an exciting community project in Kent, plus £75,000 for work to protect the Great Yellow Bumblebee in Scotland.
2.0 Working together to save the sound of summerThe Bumblebee Conservation Trust would like to explore forming mutually beneficial partnerships that meet a number of goals for both organisations based on their respective strategic objectives.
An association with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and could provide the perfect platform for companies to promote their environmental credentials both within their local community in the South West, particularly in Devon and Cornwall and across the UK.
3.0 OpportunitiesThere are several ways that BBCT can work with companies to support the charity’s own conservation objectives and to achieve the company corporate social responsibility goals. BBCT have an exciting project in the South West area that companies, particularly those connected to farming could support.
3.1 West Country Buzz – Pasture for PollinatorsThis is a new and important, potentially high profile, project which will raise the profile of the Countryside Stewardship Wildlife Pollinator and Farm Wildlife package in key areas in Devon, notably the Avon valley and Torridge district. 6 | P a g eBumblebee Conservation TrustT: 02380 642 060E: [email protected]
Insects are the main pollinators of our agricultural crops and wild plants with bees commonly cited as being the most efficient pollinators. The National Pollinator Strategy published in November 2014 is a sign that England understands the importance of our pollinator fauna, and is ready to take action. This project lines up directly with three of the five goals of the strategy, supporting pollinators on farmland, raising awareness of what pollinators need to survive and thrive, and improving evidence of the status of pollinators and the service they provide.
There are two further strands to West Country Buzz
3.2 West Country Buzz - Bees on the Map
We rely on bees to pollinate many of our crops, and the ecosystem depends on them – but they are in danger. If we are to stop their decline, we need to inspire people to save them – and we need robust, reliable, verifiable scientific data about where they are and in what numbers.
Bees on the Map is a project, through which the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, its partners and local people will find out as much as possible about bees in southwest England, so that we can safeguard them for future generations. We know that:
Bumblebees need protection. Their numbers are declining alarmingly. Bumblebees are critically important for wildlife and for food production. People are passionate about bumblebees and want to help them. Southwest England is one of the UK’s most important hotspots for rare and
common bumblebees.
We need to find out: Where are the most important places for bees in the southwest? Up to date
information on the distribution and abundance of bumblebees is surprisingly patchy and uncoordinated. We don’t have an accurate picture of which areas are most important for particular species or for bumblebees in general.
How many bumblebees are there in the southwest? Even where we do have some records, we need more information. Does a record of a shrill carder bee in a particular place mean there are hundreds more, or was it a lone individual? Is it/are they still there now? There is a danger that bees like the shrill carder could become locally extinct if we don’t act quickly to answer these questions.
What are the priorities for bumblebee conservation in the southwest?
Bees on the Map will help answer these questions and allow bee conservation efforts to be targeted effectively.
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3.3 West Country Buzz - Back from the Brink
This strand focuses on the last remaining populations of the Shrill Carder bumblebee (Bombus sylvarum) in England. It will benefit all insect pollinators, including solitary bees, honeybees, hoverflies, butterflies and moths and flower-visiting beetles.
The Shrill Carder bumblebee is the most threatened bumblebee species in the UK. Formerly widespread across southern Britain, only five populations of the species persisted into the 21st century, two in Wales and three in England. The key objectives of the project are to:
(1) Establish the current distribution of the Shrill Carder bee in England(2) Ensure remaining sites are managed to protect and enhance Shrill carder bee
populations.(3) Map opportunities to reconnect remaining populations (to prevent genetic
isolation) via habitat restoration and creation – using Buglife B-Lines methodology.
BBCT will carry out targeted surveying with the help of volunteers and local communities, in areas that are suitable for Shrill Carder (this will be assessed using BBCT’s habitat suitability models and predictive maps). BBCT will also train up volunteers to be able to survey bumblebees with confidence with a particular focus on the Shrill Carder, and best practice monitoring protocol (the standardised transect survey BeeWalk). Use of this standard protocol will also allow Shrill Carder population fluctuations to be estimated compared to other species and the national average. Project Officers will also raise awareness about the Shrill Carder at a number of events aimed at a diverse demography.
Records of secondary target species will also be collected, and used to target habitat restoration and creation work.
Once we understand where the populations of Shrill Carder still exist we can map them within the local networks of wildflower-rich habitats, and identify opportunities for restoring networks and reconnecting the populations via habitat restoration and creation.
4. Other opportunities
4.1 Practical Conservation BBCT have successfully worked with many companies to enhance the landscape around their Head office to benefit pollinators.
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BBCT can provide practical advice to enhance the area for bumblebees. Including a management plan and general planting advice.
Recommendations for interpretation of the planned areas. This will encourage staff and visitors to enjoy the areas and understand more about what the areas are for and how they were created.
Expert advice on planting for encouragement of bees Working with the companies in house PR to develop a media plan to promote
joint work.
4.2 VolunteeringIncrease knowledge of Bumblebees and the local projects:
Deliver a presentation for employees on bumblebees, to engage and inspire individuals to take action and to support Corporate Social Responsibility Programs.
Provide a Bee ID and BeeWalk training day for employees. Provide a practical volunteer work day similar to the one we do with Credit
Suisse. (See Appendix 1).
5.0 BBCT Corporate PartnersIncome generated from corporate partners supports BBCT in achieving its strategic goals. There are a variety of ways and reasons BBCT works with businesses but the charity’s five work strands are at the heart of all partnerships.
Due to its size and nature of the operation, BBCT rarely enter into ‘exclusive’ agreements with corporate partners. As a relatively small charity, BBCT have a responsibility to its members to ensure that opportunities are maximised and all approaches are considered. However this is open for negotiation for the right partnership arrangement.
BBCT currently has a working relationship with a number of large organisations that support the conservation work of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.
Redrow Homes Nicola Wood, Sustainability Manager at Redrow Homes said, “We are thrilled to be working with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. The partnership has enabled us to support their vital work in protecting bumblebees by improving habitats for pollinators on our developments and help raising awareness of the importance of such species. At the same time, the partnership has been invaluable in assisting us demonstrate to our customers, local authorities and our staff our continuing commitment to sustainability”.
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SolarcenturySusannah Wood, Chief Marketing Officer at Solarcentury said, “Maximising the biodiversity opportunity at the solar farms we build is part of our approach to responsible solar farm development, so for this reason, we partnered with the BBCT in 2013 to advise us on the most effective native seed mixes to sow post-construction at the solar farms we build. The BBCT makes annual visits to a selection of the solar farms to monitor changes in bee species living at sites in order to gauge effectiveness of our ecology efforts. The Bumblebee Conservation Trust also helps support the solar industry in the UK, and has publically endorsed solar and contributed to various industry reports on biodiversity opportunity at solar farms.”
6.0 Raising awareness and PR opportunities. There are a number of ways that BBCT’s and any partner communication channels can be utilised. Competitions and giveaways are always well-received on social media and are an easy and cost-effective way of increasing ‘Likes’, ‘Followers’ and ultimately reach and future engagement.
Furthermore, BBCT’s e-newsletter (28K subscribers) can be used, as well as the charity’s members’ magazine, Buzzword (8,000 members), to share the partnership journey
There are opportunities to have real-time conversations with members of BBCT’s conservation team in ‘ask the expert’ style conversations, via the company’s own online channels. This will show your public commitment to corporate social responsibility and allow direct interaction with your consumers.
Bumblebees remain high on the national news agenda, particularly with regards to the ban on neonicotinoids and the decline of the nation’s bumblebee populations. BBCT are regularly contacted by journalists and use all press opportunities to increase the profile of the Trust and its work, grow membership and volunteer numbers and raise awareness about the plight of bumblebees. BBCT have featured in 175 news articles, with an advertising value equivalent (AVE) in excess of £150,000 and a circulation of over 98,038,415. A partnership with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust has potential to receive both local and national news coverage.
An association with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust provides the perfect platform to promote the company’s environmental credentials both within their local community in Devon, Cornwall the SW and in the wider UK.
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7.0 ConclusionA working partnership has potential to be mutually beneficial for both parties. An initial one year agreement, with the option to extend, would make sure that a solid working relationship was forged, trust was build and would offer both parties reassurance prior to committing to a long-term partnership.
The activities outlined in this proposal are suggestions of the type of actions that can be supported by BBCT.
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APPENDIX 1
Case StudyCredit Suisse volunteer day
Background to partnershipCredit Suisse employee Duncan Lawie has volunteered for the short-haired bumblebee project since 2009, the start of the project. He regularly completes bumblebee surveys, has collected queens in Sweden and helps with events. Credit Suisse annually have a charity day and Duncan proposed that Credit Suisse included our project as an option. This was enthusiastically picked up and arranged for August 2015.
Charity Day Dungeness and Romney MarshThe day composed of three parts, beginning with a talk at the RSPB visitor centre about bumblebee ecology, lifecycle, conservation, decline and how we can help. This was followed by a presentation by Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Short-haired bumblebee Project Manager, Dr Nikki Gammans on the identification of our UK species and finished by describing the short-haired bumblebee project including the project aims, achievements and plans for the future.
A one hour walk was then lead around the beautiful wild flower habitats at the RSPB Dungeness reserve, where much of the work for the reintroduction has centred. Each person had their own net, ID chart and pots to capture bees to identify before releasing them. We saw over 12 species including three very rare bumblebees. A ploughman’s lunch then followed with tea, coffee and squash before heading out to one of our field sites to undertake habitat work.
The habitat work was undertaken in Old Romney on a small holding where we worked very closely with the land owner to improve the site for flower rich diversity and insect pollinators. The group dug 6 pits for comfrey and planted out over 60 rhizomes. They then helped prepare a small wild flower meadow by raking, seed sowing, watering and treading in.
DonationCredit Suisse very kindly purchased a brushcutter for the project, along with the comfrey they planted and paid for the room hire at RSPB Dungeness. The project supplied the lunch.
FeedbackThe project received excellent feedback from the day with the team saying they would like to return next year and complete another charity day. The team were also very keen to be kept updated on the development of the wild flower meadow and comfrey plots.
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