Aylesbury residents asked to 'get Bucks buzzing' this summer by planting pollinators

The importance of pollinating insects cannot be underestimated, both to our natural environment and to the economy, but many pollinator populations are in decline.

The Aylesbury and Milton Keynes Natural Environment Partnership (NEP) said that they believed 'almost everyone wants to help wildlife proliferate in their areas'.

They said: "Many people want to do their bit to help insects and wildlife.

"It might be as simple as leaving the lawn to grow a little longer or planting some nectar-rich flowers, or even a more complex project such as digging a pond or creating a hedgerow.

"In addition, access to nature and green space has also been shown to benefit both our physical health and our mental well-being.

A community wildlife area can provide a space for people to interact with nature, discover more about insects, or learn to identify plants.

Bucks Buzzing has helped hundreds of residents, businesses, schools and other organisations across the county to create pollinator-friendly spaces for insects and other wildlife to live and thrive.

Pollinating insects need three things: food, shelter and water.

That might sound simple, but it can be difficult to know how to start so we have developed our Bucks Buzzing Resources and

Activities to assist.

On the Bucks Buzzing website, you can find wildlife gardening resource sheets for schools, community groups, and everyday gardening heroes.

There are also activities, such as colouring sheets and British Bee Bunting, to make learning about pollinating insects fun.

Visit bucksmknep.co.uk/bucks-buzzing/resources/ to download the NEP's Buzzing Resources and get your home, school or community buzzing!

The NEP works in partnership with conservation organisations across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes to deliver pollinator-friendly community projects, provide seeds to schools and

communities, and develop a community of pollinator champions.

Participants can submit their stories and photographs to be featured on the NEP website and share examples of best practice to improve pollinator habitat across the county.