The team at John O’Conner have supported North Herts Council in achieving their second Bee Friendly Status, in Royston.
This achievement, which was appropriately announced on World Bee Day, is a continuation of John O’Conner’s Grounds Maintenance and Pest Control teams’ sustainability initiative, and included another ‘Bee Part Of It’ event. The teams are currently also working on a second bee corridor like the one installed in Letchworth, to offer pollinators further support travelling around the town. The project in Letchworth has earned multiple awards, including a Gold Green World Award, impressing judges with its collaborative, community-led action.
The bees in the UK, as well as many other pollinators, have been heavily impacted by habitat loss, meaning they often lose access to food, or nesting or breeding sites. It is sadly also becoming increasingly common for the number and quality of flowering plants to be limited. Where there are flowers and pollinating plants, they are often in small, isolated areas, making it very difficult for bee populations to grow. Pesticides used on farms and even in gardens can also kill these populations if they do exist.
The bee corridors being installed in North Herts are specifically designed to ensure that bees are able to easily navigate their way around the towns and access useful food sources. Our teams also use integrated pest control techniques, avoiding all pesticide use wherever possible, something we have also been able to educate local communities on when it comes to the care of their own green spaces.
“This is fantastic news,” said Pest Control Manager Karen, who has been instrumental in delivering the programme. “It’s our second year working with North Herts Council on this project, and our second award here. I’m incredibly proud of what our team – Gareth Towson, Sandie, Connor – and the local residents and council have achieved together.”
The Bee Friendly Awards, led by the Bee Friendly Trust, celebrate communities that go the extra mile to support bees and other vital pollinators by creating and maintaining green spaces that offer food, shelter and education. We now look forward to expanding this initiative to even more towns, working closely with local authorities and residents to promote biodiversity and protect pollinator habitats.
To read more about the Bee Friendly Awards:
www.johnoconner.co.uk/royston-wins-bee-friendly-status | www.beefriendlytrust.org/meet-the-winners
