All together now

Our pollinators are ­in trouble - around half of our bumblebee species are declining, two-thirds of our moths and 71 per cent of our butterflies are in long term decline. Without these insects to pollinate our food – it’s thought that around 84 per cent of EU food crops rely on insect pollination – our food security is at stake. But pollinators do more for us than fertilize our fruit crops.

Bees, butterflies, hoverflies and moths are beautiful, they make us laugh, they make us happy. I would be miserable if I had to live in a world without bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Wouldn’t you?

Luckily, we have the opportunity to reverse some of these declines in our gardens, schools, allotments and even our front doorsteps. We might not have room to make a native wildflower meadow but I’m sure many of us have room for a simple patch of flowers, be it a small patch of earth or a pot or even a windowbox. This can provide pollinators with the nectar and pollen they need to fly and find a mate, as well as food to raise their young. It doesn’t matter how small your space is – a simple plot for pollinators will act as a stepping stone between other habitats. Imagine a wildflower meadow planted at either end of your road – if every one of your neighbours planted up a small plot of pollinator-friendly flowers then the bees, butterflies, hoverflies and moths would have a corridor linking the two wildflower meadows and would find it much easier to find a mate and start a nest.

A simple plot for pollinators – be it a patch of garden, pots on the balcony or doorstep or a dedicated area or your allotment, is all it takes. If every one of us dedicated just 1msq to pollinators then the whole country would be linked with nectar- and pollen-rich flowers. So what are you waiting for? Take the plots for pollinators pledge today and help our pollinators!

Kate Bradbury

Butterfly Conservation Ambassador and gardening writer 

Follow Kate on Twitter @Kate_Bradbury