With devastating heat waves and floods across the United Kingdom in the past 2 years, many wildlife populations have been hit hard, losing out on key habitats and stability, according to authorities. None more so than the wild bees.
Those small yellow fuzzy insects that run around your yard, according to the UK Wildlife Conservation, are fundamental members of our global ecosystem, responsible for flowering and pollinating plants across the nation. However, with irresponsible farming practices and amongst other issues, over 30% of the UK’s bee population has died off, with few remaining to support. This is why, in Shrewsbury, a team of eager students participate in a Beekeeping club, to aid our hardworking friends.
On Thursday afternoons, club member George Rink, along with a dozen other members of the Beekeeping society go to the local bee farm where they inspect the hives to “look for disease, make sure the queen is happy, and check their food stores”. He believes that it is important to look after these pollinators, especially with the declining bee population, stating “as the wild bee population is declining rapidly, so by keeping colonies we can make sure they stay strong”. The club also hosts a variety of bee-related projects to raise awareness about the life cycle and significance wild bees have in our nation, having visited local Shropshire primary schools to educate students about the bees. It has been reported that such trips are successful, inciting enthusiasm from their hosts.
With Mother Nature’s struggles with climate change, it is becoming increasingly apparent that we, as members of a global community, must aid our local ecosystems. Step by step, from bees to meadows to swallows, communities must rise and take care of our planet.