Nineteen parks and green spaces have been presented with a Bees’ Needs Award by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.
Supported by Defra and the National Pollinator Strategy, the awards have been given to Green Flag Award or Green Flag Community Award-winning parks and green spaces that have made improvements or innovations to encourage pollinators.
The pollinator population is adversely affected by habitat loss and this award is designed to increase awareness and contribute to improving pollinator-friendly environments.
Award-winners that have picked up a Bees’ Needs Award in 2016 include the Grow Mayow Community Garden in Mayow Park, in the London Borough of Lewisham, where the community group has set up an education project, investing in a bee hive and equipment and planted wild flowers and a large nectar bar. The scheme now sees local primary schools using Grow Mayow as their outdoor science classroom and is raising awareness of the need to protect bees with the next generation.
Green Flag Award manager Paul Todd said: ‘We are delighted that so many Green Flag Award-winners and Green Flag Community Award-winners are stepping up to meet the challenge posed to improve our environment for the benefit of pollinators and we are impressed by the commitment they are showing.’