World Bee Day - What's the Buzz?
Every year on May 20th, people across the globe celebrate World Bee Day, a chance to shine a spotlight on one of the most vital (and often underappreciated) creatures on our planet: the bee. Here in the UK, where rolling green countryside meets wildflower meadows and urban gardens, bees are a quiet but essential part of our ecosystems and economy.
But why exactly do bees matter so much, and what can we do to help them?
Bees are more than just the familiar fuzzy creatures we see buzzing around flowers in spring and summer. They’re powerhouse pollinators, responsible for fertilising plants by transferring pollen. In the UK alone:
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Over 75% of the crops we eat depend on pollination.
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Bees contribute an estimated £690 million a year to the UK economy through their pollination services.
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They also support biodiversity, keeping wild plants and ecosystems healthy, which in turn supports birds, mammals, and other insects.
Without bees, our diets would look very different. Imagine no strawberries, apples, tomatoes, or even coffee. And our countryside would lose much of its natural colour and life.
But, there's trouble in the hive. Despite their importance, bees are in trouble. In the UK:
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One-third of wild bee and hoverfly species are in decline.
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Habitat loss, intensive farming, pesticides (especially neonicotinoids), and climate change are the main culprits.
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Some native bee species, like the Great Yellow Bumblebee, are now confined to small parts of Scotland.
If these trends continue, we could lose not just bee species, but the balance of nature itself.
You can follow organisations like the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and Buglife who are actively restoring wildflower meadows and promoting bee-friendly farming to find out more. Also, many local councils and communities are rethinking urban spaces, planting pollinator-friendly flowers along roadsides, in school gardens, and even on bus stops.
And, whether you live in the countryside or a city flat, you can make a difference:. Here are some of our top tips:
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Plant for pollinators: Grow nectar-rich plants like lavender, foxglove, borage, and thyme. Even a small window box helps!
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Avoid pesticides: Especially those harmful to bees—go organic where possible.
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Let your garden go wild: Leave a patch of lawn unmowed or let wildflowers bloom naturally.
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Provide shelter: Bee hotels are great for solitary bees. Leave dead wood or bare patches of earth for nesting.
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Support local honey: Buying honey from UK beekeepers helps fund sustainable beekeeping and conservation efforts.
World Bee Day is more than a date on the calendar—it's a chance to reflect on how we can live more harmoniously with nature. It’s also a reminder that even the smallest creature can have an outsized impact on our lives.
This May 20th, take a moment to stop and watch the bees in your garden or local park. Plant a few extra flowers. Talk to your kids about why bees matter. It’s the little things—just like bees themselves—that keep the world buzzing.
