This in from the council. In their own words. Ed
The Isle of Wight Council has given its backing to measures supporting the lifestyle of bees and other pollinating insects through the way it manages planting schemes in its parks and gardens.
A motion by Cabinet member for sustainability, Councillor Luisa Hillard, proposing support for initiatives promoted by the Friends of the Earth Bee Cause, was strongly supported by a meeting of the Full Council.
She proposed that the council should do all that is practicable – within its current and future resources – to manage its own and community growing schemes to support the lifestyle of pollinating insects.
Councillor Hillard said:
“This motion is a result of consultation with residents and Councillor Steve Stubbings, who brought the Bee Cause initiative to my attention. I believe this will help to further the aims of the ‘Framework for Change’ and help to shape the outcomes of the root and branch review of council-owned green spaces.
“It is a positive step forward for the wildlife and biodiversity of the Island.”
The Friends of the Earth Bee Cause initiative has highlighted how disease, chemicals and disappearing green spaces are all making life difficult for bees.
In June, at the Friends of the Earth Bee Summit, the government announced plans to urgently review the decline of bees and develop a national pollinator strategy (or ‘bee action plan’).
Members of the public are being encouraged to show their support for the bee action plan by adding their names to a petition on the Friends of the Earth website.
The petition encourages the government to develop an ambitious UK-wide plan with actions to save Britain’s bees through:
- protecting and restoring flower-rich meadows in the country;
- helping farmers to protect crops using fewer pesticides;
- ensuring every park and verge provides space for bees.
Image: Moosealope under CC BY 2.0
