The Peak District's bumblebees have had a massive boost in recent years. The Bumblebee Conservation Trust's award-winning Pollinating the Peak project saw 437 hectares of land improved for bumblebees, with thousands of people learning more about these wonderful insects and how to help them by creating bee-friendly habitats.

Pollinating the Peak was the Trust's largest engagement initiative so far. During the four-year project, hundreds of community events across the region raised awareness of the plight of the bumblebee.

Since 1980, bee diversity in the UK has fallen and many bumblebee species continue to decline. This could have an impact on our food security and prices here in the UK. Bumblebees are important pollinators, especially of fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, peas, apples and strawberries – and without them, we may need to pollinate crops by other means.

Hand-pollinating British crops has been estimated to cost £1.8 billion every year – so without the help of pollinators, food prices could continue to soar.

Pollinating the Peak

Bumblebees are thriving in the Peak District, thanks to a successful four-year project run by Bumblebee Conservation Trust

Above: bumblebees in the kitchen garden at Chatsworth

One bumblebee species that's in decline is the bilberry bumblebee. Also known as the mountain bumblebee, this rare insect can be seen in moorland regions of the Peak District. It gets its name from the bilberry blossoms it feeds on – and a decline in habitats where these plants grow is one reason why the bilberry bumblebee has been struggling in recent years.

Pollinating the Peak took several important steps to help secure the future for the bilberry bumblebee in Derbyshire, including by increasing public awareness, improving habitat and monitoring local populations.

Working with the Eastern Moors Partnership, the project staff and volunteers planted 1,000 bilberry plug plants across Hathersage Moor to increase future nesting and forage. The plants were protected from grazing sheep and deer with cages designed to blend into the landscape and allow the plants to grow.

Hundreds of Great Bilberry Bumblebee Hunt activity packs were distributed across the region, to raise awareness of this iconic species and encourage people to look out for the bumblebees and record their sightings.

Award-winning

Pollinating the Peak was recognised nationally as an award-winning project, and was picked from thousands of projects across the country to win National Lottery Project of the Year 2021, in recognition of the excellent work to connect new and diverse audiences.

The project has had a huge impact on people in Derbyshire and across the Peak, with more people knowing more and caring more about the importance of bumblebees.

And the project has, of course, had a lasting impact on bumblebees. This includes a legacy of improved habitat for pollinators within the Peak District, a better understanding of population health through increased biological records, a wealth of interpretive and learning resources, skills for communities and individuals and greater capacity for volunteering for bumblebees in the local area.

The Pollinating the Peak project was made possible by the hard work and dedication of staff and volunteers, and the support of a diverse group of partnerships. This includes the Steering Group partners Chatsworth, Chesterfield, Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Little Green Space, Moors for the Future Partnership, National Trust, and Peak District National Park Authority.

Little Green Space is a non-profit project sharing solutions to the nature and climate crises, and offering inspiration for a greener lifestyle. If you like our content, please help keep us going with a small donation!