Scotland’s pollinators are in serious decline. Wildflower meadows are prime pollinator habitat, but we’ve lost over 95% of them since the 1930s – we must act now to save thousands of species from extinction.
We have pollinators to thank for every third mouthful we eat. Many species of bee provide an essential “maintenance service” to our crops, pollinating over £690 million worth of food across the UK annually. Taking on this job ourselves would be incredibly time consuming and cost an estimated £1.8 billion every year.
But these important insects don’t just pollinate our crops, they are also key to the survival of a host of wild plants. Plants which in turn provide food and shelter to much of Scotland’s native species. The impact which pollinators have on the survival of birds, insects, plants and animals can be seen almost everywhere we look.
Mention pollination and most of us think of bees. But many moths, butterflies, hoverflies and even beetles are also pollinators – each playing a very important role in Scotland’s biodiversity. Although it is still possible to see insects such as bumblebees and hoverflies in local parks and gardens, these wild pollinators are facing huge environmental pressures.
Numbers are plummeting
Over the last four decades, 50% of Scotland’s pollinators have been driven to extinction.
The 2019 State of Nature report is a health check on how wildlife is faring across the UK. It confirms a drastic fall in numbers for some of our butterfly and moth species. A decline which will continue unless we act now.
Buzzing from Irvine to Girvan
The Irvine to Girvan Nectar Network is a collaborative project which aims to establish a series of nectar and pollen rich “re-fuelling” points along 30 miles of the South Ayrshire coast. We want to create havens for bees, butterflies and beetles in town and country alike – sowing wildflowers, planting native hedgerow species and exposing areas of sandy soil into which insects can burrow.
All of this, combined with sharing knowledge, best practice and on-the-ground support, will help establish the strong foundations which these insects need to ensure their survival.
Sowing seeds for the future
We urgently need to invest £150,000 to expand the Nectar Network along the South Ayrshire coast. We are delighted to have secured pledges for £120,000, but we need to raise a further £30,000 to continue this work.
Please donate today and join our fight to save Scotland’s pollinators.