Wednesday 20 July – Precious Pollinators
Bees and butterflies are incredible eco-system engineers.
Between them, they carry out the vast majority of pollination in the South Downs.
Pollinators are in trouble; it has been shown that half of the UK’s 27 bumblebee species are in decline with three of these bumblebee species already extinct. Two-thirds of UK moths and 71% of UK butterflies are in long term decline.
In 2019, the South Downs National Park Trust established the Beelines project to plant new wildflower corridors to connect species-rich chalk grassland sites across the South Downs.
Working with farmers and other landowners, this highway system for bees and butterflies is connecting the urban and rural, bringing bees into gardens, fields and meadows.
What’s on
- 12pm – Facebook Live. Join National Park ranger Jan and volunteers inspecting the bees and butterflies at a newly planted wildflower meadow in Lewes. Watch on the South Downs Facebook page.
- Get Involved: Go explore and spot bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Share your findings through the iNaturalist app.