Why the Wildlife Trusts need us to take action
Few things conjure up a perfect image of the countryside quite like a bee buzzing from flower to flower. A butterfly fluttering across a meadow. A beetle making its way through tall grass. They paint a wonderful picture, don’t they? The reality, however, is less than idyllic. Modern living has seen insect numbers drop at an alarming rate. We risk losing many of them forever.
Life systems depend on insects.
Insects make up the majority of our wildlife and are truly remarkable in the roles they play. Pollinators such as wild bees, hoverflies and moths are vital for passing on pollen to help our flowers reproduce and approximately three quarters of the crop types grown by humans rely on pollination by insects.
Insects break down and decompose organic materials. They turn dead matter and waste into usable forms, like fertile soil for healthy crops. And let’s not forget that insects are food for many other animals including birds, bats, reptiles, amphibians and fish that we love so much as well as being essential to help feed our growing human population.
Can you help?
The Wildlife Trusts need communities and individuals to help them stop insects from dying out. Two new action guides for communities and individuals are packed full of information to help us all take practical action in our local neighbourhood and at home. Just taking a few simple actions can have a big impact if we all act. Together we can reverse insect loss and help the wildlife that depends on insects to thrive once more. Sign up for your free guide here https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/take-action-insects.
Want to know more?
Read Reversing the Decline of Insects https://www.somersetwildlife.org/what-we-do/restore-somersets-nature/campaign-nature/action-insects highlighting case studies of individuals, farmers, communities, landowners and councils that have taken positive action to help insects.
Webpage link here to Access Community Guide:
Webpage link here to Somerset’s Pollinator Action Plan: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/waste-planning-and-land/biodiversity/#Somerset-Pollinator-Action-Plan