The Pollinator Project is a La Société Guernesiaise’s initiative and was established by members, Vanessa Crispini-Adams and Barry Wells. The project was launched at The Nature Festival held at Les Cotils, in October, 2017. Its key aim is to raise awareness of the genuine contribution we can each make to the enhancement of Guernsey’s biodiversity by providing food and habitats for pollinators.

Pollinating insects are in trouble. Intensive farming, climate change, urban growth and the over use of pesticides have all been devastating to these insects. Two thirds of our butterflies and moths are in long term decline. Across Europe 38% of bees and hoverflies are also in decline. And yet, one out of every three mouthfuls of our food depends on pollination taking place. It is impossible to overestimate how important pollinators are to us.

The project was built on a similar philosophy to Chris Packham’s recent  ‘Nature  Reserves Are Not Enough’ initiative. While La Société Guernesiaise does invaluable work managing most of Guernsey’s small nature reserve sites, we believe that conservation now needs to integrate into our communities and into the hearts and minds of islanders in a meaningful way if we are to stem the tide of environmental degradation and species loss.

So the core objectives of the Pollinator Project was to form strong and long-term partnerships with government departments, schools, businesses, utility companies, garden centres, community groups and local charities to change the culture of how we manage the land under our care (no matter how small).