Bees Needs Week 2020
To celebrate the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra) annual Bees’ Needs Week campaign, Grosvenor Britain & Ireland have shared how they are helping the bee population to thrive in the West End.
Defra’s research shows that the overall numbers of pollinating insects have declined since 1980, and globally, one in ten pollinating insects is on the verge of extinction.
As a founding partner of Wild West End, Grosvenor is committed to the future success of biodiversity across its estate. Last year, Grosvenor announced ambitious environmental sustainability goals; one of which is Valuing Nature. By 2030, Grosvenor is aiming to achieve a significant net gain in biodiversity on their largest development sites and purposeful green infrastructure contributing to local, regional and national conservation priorities.
Across their London estate of Mayfair and Belgravia, Grosvenor has already installed 240 green features including 6 green roofs, 6 green lampposts, 4 parklets as well as numerous hanging baskets and window boxes to welcome bees and other pollinators.
Every new project must deliver against the valuing nature commitment. For instance, proposals for Cundy Street in Belgravia will include 65 new trees and 27,000 sq ft of green and blue roofs enhancing local biodiversity emerging proposals to transform Grosvenor Square have enhanced biodiversity and well-being for users at its core.
Grosvenor also has two of their own beehives housing c.70,000 bees near to the business’ headquarters in Mayfair. Grosvenor’s bees are looked after by two Grosvenor employees (and keen apiarists), Rob Jenkins and Nick Jones.
What can we do to help?
There are some simple things we can all do to bring about the best possible conditions for bees and other insects to flourish.
5 key actions people can take to help our bee population:
Grow more pollinator friendly flowers, shrubs and trees
Leave patches of land to grow wild
Cut grass less often
Do not disturb insect nests and hibernation spots
Think carefully about using pesticides
Partners:
Grosvenor Britain and Ireland
Location:
Mayfair & Belgravia
Features:
240 Green Features including:
6 Green roofs
6 Green lampposts
4 Parklets
2 Bee hives
Bug hotels
Window boxes
.