Developed by Cumbria Local Nature Partnership, and delivered by Cumbria Wildlife Trust (CWT),
'Get Cumbria Buzzing' is an ambitious and innovative 3-year project (2019-2022) that includes a wide range of partners who have joined forces to help reverse the decline of pollinators across Northwest Cumbria.
They are: Allerdale Borough Council, Buglife, Butterfly Conservation, Carlisle City Council, Copeland Borough Council, Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre, Florence Arts Centre, Highways England, National Trust, Solway Coast AONB and Workington Nature Partnership.
My daughter is the Get Cumbria Buzzing Officer at Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Lucy explained in her presentation to Sellafiled staff, our wild pollinators are in trouble. More than half of UK bee, butterfly and moth species have declined in the past 50 years, and 30 species of bees face extinction. Over the last 75 years we've lost 97% of our flower rich meadows, 50% of our hedgerows, and 60% of flowering plants are in decline.
The map below shows the project area, which includes the Strategic Road Network managed by Highways England and part of the B-Line pollinator network. Researched and mapped by charity Buglife, B-Lines are a series of 'best fit' pathways that run through our towns and countryside and have the potential to link fragmented habitats.
Lucy explained the project aims to.Increase the numbers and diversity of pollinating insect species including bees, butterflies and hoverflies, by reducing habitat fragmentation and isolation along two "B-Lines" used by pollinators to disperse through Cumbria. Another aim is work with communities along Cumbria's coast, in Workington, Whitehaven and Maryport, to restore and create pollinator havens in green spaces such as parks, schools and around housing estates. She is working with local people to have the opportunity to volunteer, record bumblebees, participate in events, and learn how to make their gardens friendly for wild pollinators.
Below are the events happening in 2021. There are many things going on, such as free seeds to sow. If you want to know more just contact Lucy (she is on LinkedIn)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-graham-6340164b/
