What is a pollinator pathway and why is it important? 

Habitat fragmentation is one of the biggest threats facing wildlife in the UK. Lots of species will require different habitats depending on the time of year and their life stage. Pollinating insects will need a constant supply of pollen right from when they emerge in spring through to autumn. For example, a bumblebee may rely on early flowering willow in the spring and then need later summer plants to be in flower as the year continues. So, being able to move between habitats to find different food sources and nesting sites is vital.

Pollinating insects are important to help sustain us, too! Many crops rely on pollination by solitary bees, bumblebees, wasps, hoverflies, butterflies, moths and beetles. In fact, insect pollination is worth an estimated £690 million to food production in the UK.

However, in the last 20 years we’ve seen a 60% decrease in the number of flying insects in the UK, with habitat loss and fragmentation being a major contributing factor. 

Pollinator Pathways will connect different habitats and allow wildlife to traverse the landscape and access different habitats and by doing so increase the abundance of our struggling pollinator species. 

What we’ve been doing

Our amazing Pollinator Pathways Team has been working with landowners and landholders, including businesses, community groups and farmers to provide advice and practical assistance to create and maintain habitat that will eventually create a pollinator pathway from the Cotswolds to the Mendips. 

The team has also helped by assisting people in carrying out surveys of their land to see what wildlife they have and to monitor any changes they make on their land.

Because pollinators can require different habitats depending on the time of year, our pollinator pathway team has helped with creating wildflower meadows, planting trees, improving and creating hedgerows, and clearing scrub and creating woodland glades to allow a greater diversity of plant species to thrive all throughout the year.

By providing advice alongside practical support, Pollinator Pathways has helped create a lasting difference, with people who care for land being given the skills and knowledge to continue the incredible work beyond the project’s end.

Pollinator Pathways in numbers

With the project now at the two-year mark the difference is there for everyone to see! 

An incredible 174 hectares of pollinator friendly habitat has been connected through the project, with a further 142 hectares in development to be connected. 

The project has engaged 38 landowners to make changes that will benefit pollinating insects.

There have been 39 volunteer days carried out to make practical changes to the landscape and 4 training events to help people gain the skills they need create more pollinator friendly habitats. 

Learn more about Pollinator Pathways