The planter is a purpose-built habitat for solitary (ground-nesting) bees and other invertebrates. Filled with sand and drought-tolerant plants, it recreates the bare, sandy ground that many wild bees need to nest and reproduce.
An explanation board has also been installed, helping residents and visitors learn more about the vital role these often-overlooked pollinators play in our eco-systems.
The planter helps reinforce our commitment to collaboration, social value and biodiversity across our communities.
Supporting a local community garden
We wanted this prize to have the greatest possible impact, so we’ve gifted it to local community space Woody wood Garden in St. Leonards.
This thriving garden provides an ideal setting for the habitat, enhancing biodiversity while offering an educational resource for the community.
Delivered through partnerships and social value
This initiative has been made possible through strong collaboration with our partners:
- Ecolution have generously contributed National Gardening Vouchers to fund planting through their social value commitments and want to continue their support
- The sand for the bee habitat has been provided by internal funding.
This is a brilliant example of how internal and external partnerships can come together to deliver real environmental improvements.
Why solitary bees matter
While honeybees often get the spotlight, solitary bees are incredibly important pollinators:
- They’re highly efficient pollinators, with some species pollinating more effectively than honeybees
- They’re generally non-aggressive, making them ideal for community settings
- Many species are under threat due to habitat loss, making targeted interventions like this vital.
By installing habitats such as this one, we’re helping to restore lost nesting spaces and support pollinator populations. This will benefit not just wildlife, but also the plants, gardens, and green spaces our communities rely on.
