The document discusses how changes to the British countryside have negatively impacted wildlife populations, including pollinator species. It notes that 97% of wildflower grasslands have been lost since the 1930s, leading to the extinction of two bumblebee species in the 21st century. The Medway Valley Countryside Partnership and Bumblebee Conservation Trust are working on a project called "Creating a Buzz for the Coast" to improve and restore coastal grassland habitats in order to benefit rare bumblebee species and other wildlife. The project aims to appropriately manage flower-rich meadows and create nesting habitats to improve habitat connectivity for long-term species survival.

1. Changes to the British Countryside are having a significant impact on wildlife
species which includes pollinators which provide ecosystem services to
human populations in the form of crop pollination and food production.
Bumblebee species rely on wildflowers for food resources; however it is
estimated that 97% of wildflower–rich grasslands has been lost since the
1930’s. The decline in such habitats has led to the extinction of two species
of bumble during the 21st century; the Short-haired and the Cullem.
Without strategic conservation efforts there is a risk of further extinctions of
keystone species in the British Countryside.
The Shrill Carder Bumblebee (Bombus sylvarum) and the Brown-Banded
Carder Bee (Bombus Humilis) are two of the rarest bumblebee species in
Britain and are therefore a Biodiversity Action Plan species .
The Medway Valley Countryside Partnership have joined the Bumblebee
Conservation Trust with initiation of “Creating a Buzz for the Coast .” This
project is targeted at coastal wildflower-rich grassland habitats within the
Maidstone, Medway and Rochester area.
The project is in early planning with baseline surveys being conducted in
order to identify ways in which habitats can be improved and restored for the
benefit of not only the target species stated, but also for a variety of other
wildlife species being invertebrates, birds, amphibians and reptiles alike.
The aim of the project is to appropriately manage flower–rich meadows and
edge habitat ensuring that there is a variety of nectar sources flowering
throughout the entire year whilst creating suitable undisturbed nesting
habitats. The long term objective is to connect such habitats in the area
creating an ecological network which will in turn improve nesting and feeding
availability for the species ensuring long term survival and genetic viability.
For more information concerning what you can do to conserve bee species in
Britain please visit: bumblebeeconservation.org/get-involved.
MEDWAY VALLEY COUNTRYSIDE PARTNERSHIP
EMMA-LOUISE SPICER
BSC CONSERVATION AND BIODIVERSITY: FIRST CLASS HONOURS
Creating a Buzz for the Coast– project outline
Shrill Carder
(Bombus sylvarum)
Brown Banded Carder
(Bombus humilis)

2. MEDWAY VALLEY COUNTRYSIDE PARTNERSHIP
EMMA-LOUISE SPICER
BSC CONSERVATION AND BIODIVERSITY: FIRST CLASS HONOURS
List of plant species for making you garden bee friendly
Early Blooms:
 Fruit trees (including apple, pear
and plum
 Fruit scrubs (e.g. Blackberry,
Strawberry, Raspberry, red cur-
rent, black current)
 Bluebell
 Brooom
 Rosemary
 Winterheather
 Burgle
 Viburnum
 Skimmia
 Pieris
 Crocus
 Lungwort
 Berberis
 Comfrey
 Dicentra
 Hellebore
 Mahonia
 Flowering Current
Good for emerging queens and young
Summer Blooms:
 Rose
 Rosemary
 Sage
 Jacobs ladder
 Lilac
 Mallow
 Mock Orange
 Penstemon
 Poppy
 Hebe
 Hollyhock
 Honeywort
 Thyme
 Wallflower
 Dead nettle
 Foxglove
 Chive
 Geranium
 Thistle: Globe and Echinops
 Catmint
 Campanula
Good for workers and growing queens
Late Summer Blooms:
 Teasel
 All peas and beans
 Toadflax
 Sunflower
 Scabious
 Snapdragon
 Honeysuckle
 Fuchsia
 Basil
 Lavender
 Lupin
 Echinacea
 Hyssop
 Majoram
 Russian sage
 Poached egg plant
 Potenilla
 Rudbeckia
 Sneezeweed
 Cornflower
 Dahlia
Good for producing new queens
Winter heather Lilac Scabious