National award recognises our contribution to supporting pollinators in the community

We’re proud to have been named one of DEFRA’s national ‘Bees Needs champions’ for 2024.

The annual award, which has been given to 45 organisations across the country, recognises exceptional initiatives by local authorities, community groups, farmers and businesses to support pollinators. The awards are in two categories: ‘communities’ and ‘farming’, with our award included in the communities category.

The Bees Needs award reflects our work in more than 60 green spaces across London and, in partnership with the Corporation of London, the creation of three ‘green corridors’ across the City, providing friendly habitats for pollinators and places for communities to enjoy.

So far in 2024, we’ve established London’s first annual pollinator count, and are about to kick off a research project examining the link between health and mental wellbeing, and the availability of green spaces with pollinators and flora.

Defra established the awards as part of its ten-year national pollinator strategy, established in 2014, which sets out how government, beekeepers, conservation groups, farmers, researchers, industry and the public can work together to improve the status of pollinating insect species in England.

The strategy recognises the crucial role pollinators play in the nation’s food production.