Bumblebee Conservation Trust are asking us to take small actions – or microactions – for our local bumblebees. Here’s how you can get involved:
What is a microaction?
Microactions are small deliberate actions that, over time, build towards achieving big results. Their beauty lies in their simplicity and their ability to inspire others.
For example, one hanging basket planted with bumblebee-friendly plants isn’t going to avert the nature crisis by itself, but that one hanging basket might provide nectar for hungry bumblebees and pollen to feed growing bumblebee larvae. An eye-catching hanging basket could also inspire someone else to plant their own hanging basket or pot, which in turn might inspire others. You see where we’re going? Over time, with each person taking small actions, we have a positive move towards flowers, bumblebees and other wildlife cascading along a street and through a community.
Perhaps one hanging basket can help avert the nature crisis after all, by building a movement. We need someone to start that movement, and we think that’s you!
What microactions can I take?
Here’s our microaction ideas for how you can Bee the Change for bumblebees. We’ve grouped them into four areas to get you started.
- Gardening – create the habitat that bumblebees need
- Fundraising – help us to help bumblebees!
- Advocacy – speak up for bumblebees
- Volunteering – learn or share some bumblebee goodness
Gardening – create the habitat that bumblebees need
From town centre window ledges and balconies to suburban gardens and community green spaces, everyone can help create the places that bumblebees need to thrive.
- Plant a bumblebee-friendly plant in the ground, window box, hanging basket or pot. Check out our monthly planting guides for inspiration.
- Allow dandelions and other wildflowers aka ‘weeds’ to grow. Embrace the colour and variety that nature provides for free.
- Water your plants so they keep producing nectar and pollen. Bumblebees get all their fluids from flowers so it’s important to water plants in dry weather.
- Deadheading! Sounds a little extreme but removing faded flowers encourages plants to produce new flowers to feed hungry bumblebees.
- Add bumblebee nest spots. Put up a bird box, with some dried grass or other insulating material inside, to encourage Tree bumblebees to nest. Create a log or rock pile, with gaps inside, for a nest searching queen Red-tailed bumblebee to find in spring.
Fundraising – help us to help bumblebees!
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust is a charity and relies on funding and donations. By raising money, you can help us work with farmers to create more and better habitat, inspire children to learn about and love bumblebees, and help policy makers understand how to protect them. Whatever your budget, there’s something you can do to help.
- Make a one off or recurring donation to suit your budget.
- Buy a family member or friend a gift membership to mark a special occasion. They’ll receive a welcome pack and regular news from us throughout the year.
- Visit our online shop. You’ll find simple ID guides, pin badges, hoodies and more!
- Suggest your employer makes the Trust their charity of the year. Share our Bee the Change Business Guide.
- Raise funds when you shop online. From grocery shopping to car insurance, you can raise vital funds every time you shop online. Simply sign up to one or more of these fantastic platforms: Easy Fundraising, Give As You Live, Savoo, Pennies.
Advocacy – speak up for bumblebees
Bumblebees don’t have a voice but we can all spread the word about what they need and when they need it.
- Follow us on social media and share our posts with others.
- Inspire others and share our Bee the Change planting guides and other resources with anyone who might be interested – family, friends, colleagues and local community growing groups.
- Proclaim your support for bumblebees by signing up to the Bee the Change pledge and receive regular updates about our work and how you can help. Share it with others too!
- Stay away from pesticides. Leaving weedkillers and bug sprays on the shelf is one of the best things you can do to help bumblebees. Your actions can speak louder than words sometimes!
- Keep an eye on our ‘Take action for bumblebees’ page for current ways to help – coming soon.
Volunteering – learn or share some bumblebee goodness
Invest some time in doing good things for bumblebees and people, including yourself!
- Visit our YouTube channel and learn about bumblebees. Discover how bumblebees evolved, understand what pollination is, and explore how to identify and survey bumblebees.
- Help build a picture of when and where bumblebees are active by recording them on the iRecord app. Just download the app, take a photo of a bumblebee and upload it. It’ll even give you suggestions of which species it is so perfect for boosting your ID skills.
- Tell your local schools about our Bumblebee-friendly Schools Award. A perfect way to inspire the next generation.
- Make seed balls to use at home or give away to others. What could be better than a homemade bumblebee-friendly gift?
- Tell us what you’ve been doing for bumblebees. We’d love to hear about and share your stories with others through our e-news, blogs and social media. Get in touch at beethechange@bumblebeeconservation.org or tag us using #BeeTheChange on social media.
Got more time? Why not give these a go:
- Carry out a bumblebee-friendly survey of your garden or outdoor space. Draw yourself a bird’s eye view map (don’t worry, no artistic skill required) and mark out which plants are in flower during the seasons. Aim to have at least one bumblebee-friendly plant in flower from early spring all the way through to late autumn. If you spot any flower gaps, use our gardening resources to plan some new additions. Got it covered already? Let us know and help inspire others!
- Take on a Pollin8 fundraising challenge. Whether you Navig8 eight peaks in a week, Celebr8 with a bake sale, or Cre8 bumblebee-themed crafts, you’ll be part of our buzzing community of fundraisers, all doing something brilliant for bumblebees. There’s something for everyone!
- Get in touch with your local authority to advocate on behalf of your local bumblebees. Ask them what they’re doing to support pollinators in your area and if there are any opportunities to get involved.
- Volunteer your time and help bumblebees in your community while keeping costs low by joining or starting a local plant or seed swap group. Check out our resources for which plants and seeds are best.
Remember to pin your nature-friendly activity to our map!
Are you beeing the change? If you have taken any of these microactions, add your activity to the Help Nature Your Way Map. Show what you’re doing to make a difference for nature in your local area – and inspire others to join in too!
You can explore even more ways to #HelpNatureYourWay in our Help Nature Your Way hub. Explore, get inspired, get involved.
