34

Campaign for Bees

There are dozens of motivated, well-informed conservation groups who need your support and help. Whether you simply join and donate every month or get involved at a grass-roots level, campaigning for bees and other pollinating insects does make a difference. Many of the larger environmental charities – such as Friends of the Earth, WWF or the RSPB – can effect change at a government level, for instance, by consulting on pesticide policy or setting up pollinator guidelines that local councils can follow.

Large charitable organisations can also fund ground-breaking scientific research into bee populations, set up national accreditation schemes and organise summits, where information and international expertise can be shared.

There are also specialised campaign groups who focus solely on pollinators or certain types of bees. In the US, the Pollinator Friendly Alliance, for example, relies on a dedicated volunteer network to do everything, from habitat installation to advocacy, organising community events to organisational support. Both money and time are two welcome resources, not only for practical conservation work but also for raising awareness.

So, if you want to campaign for bees, there are a number of ways you can help:

•Donation

•Membership

•Signing petitions

•Social media action

•Practical conservation

•Fundraising

•Public engagement

•Giving talks to schools and committees

•Setting up a pollinator action plan (see 36)

•Taking part in a survey (see 48)