From July 8th to 14th, the UK celebrates Bees' Needs Week, a dedicated time to raise awareness about the vital role bees play in our ecosystem. These fuzzy pollinators are responsible for a whopping one-third of the food we eat, from fruits and vegetables to nuts and seeds.

But bee populations are facing serious threats, including habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. During Bees' Needs Week, we can all take a moment to appreciate these amazing creatures and learn how to support them both at home in our gardens and at work.

Here are some simple ways you can help bees thrive:

• Plant a bee-friendly garden: Choose flowering plants rich in nectar and pollen, such as lavender, sunflowers, and borage. Do you have any green space at work? Can you plant a patch of bee-friendly flowers and plants?
• Let it grow wild: Do you have lawn areas at work? Rather than mowing the grass, can you leave all of it (or if that is too controversial!) leave a patch to grow wild and long to create a haven for wildflowers and pollinators.
• Ditch the chemicals: Can you avoid using herbicides harmful to bees at work? Some of our clients use weedkillers around the car parks and edges of their buildings, the alternative is to pull the weeds out by hand or cut them down and rake them up, both of which are more labour-intensive and time-consuming but prevent the bees from coming into contact with herbicides which can paralyse and kill them.
• Support local beekeepers: Honey from local beekeepers is delicious and supports sustainable beekeeping practices, can your business host a beehive or sponsor one? Can you sell locally-produced honey to your staff and visitors? One of our clients leases an office in a building with a green roof and several bee hives on it, you can buy the honey when you visit!
  

Bees' Needs Week is a reminder that even small actions can make a big difference. By working together, we can help ensure these buzzing beauties continue to thrive for generations to come!

Want to learn more? Check out the Bees' Needs Week website for resources and information on how you can get involved.

Let's all do our part to keep the buzz alive!