Kent's Plan Bee
We are establishing apiaries all over Kent, to compliment Kent County Council's comprehensive pollinator action plan to mobilise communities, businesses, and individuals across the county to protect vital insects essential for our food production and environment.
The Pollinator Crisis
72%
Kent's Flying Insect Decline
Devastating drop in just 17 years according to Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife report
97%
Wildflower Meadows Lost
Since WWII due to modern farming and urban development
1/3
Food Depends on Pollinators
Every third mouthful relies on insect pollination
Without bees, hoverflies and other insects, there would be no strawberries, apples, coffee, chocolate, or countless other foods we depend upon.
Meet Kent's Pollinators
Bumblebees
Kent hosts 22 of the UK's 24 bumblebee species, including the rare Shrill Carder bee found only in southern England
Hoverflies
Essential pollinators that mimic bees and wasps, vital for carrots and fruit crops with diverse species across Kent
Butterflies & Moths
Over 42 butterfly species and 2000+ moth species, with Kent hosting the greatest concentration of rare moths in the UK
From honey bees to beetles, mosquitoes to wasps - over 170 wild bee species and countless other pollinators call Kent home.
What Pollinators Need to Thrive
Food Sources
Nectar and pollen from diverse flowering plants throughout the seasons. Common knapweed, red clover, hawthorn, bramble, and cosmos provide essential nutrition.
  • Wildflower meadows
  • Hedgerows and woodland edges
  • Pollinator-friendly gardens
Shelter & Nesting
Safe places to shelter, nest, and overwinter in diverse habitats like tall grass, burrows, and tree trunks.
  • Tussocky long grass
  • Hedgerows and scrub
  • Undisturbed soil areas
Kent's Plan Bee in Action
01
Rural Verge Management
Changed cutting regime to two cuts annually (March-May, September-October) at £300k cost, creating extensive habitat networks
02
Urban Pollinator Corridors
Established 10 pollinator road verges along Fastrack routes with green roof bus shelters and the dedicated 'bee bus'
03
Pesticide Action
Banned neonicotinoids on council land and lobbied government against emergency permissions for harmful pesticides
04
Community Engagement
Mobilised 1,500 Facebook followers, 2,300 newsletter subscribers, and 336 No Mow May pledges
Partnership Conservation Projects
Roadside Nature Reserves
123 protected sites since 1994, run by voluntary wardens in partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust, safeguarding threatened roadside wildlife
Making a Buzz for the Coast
Bumblebee Conservation Trust project creating flower-rich 'stepping stones' along 135 miles of coast from Dartford to Deal
Short-haired Bumblebee Return
Successful reintroduction to Dungeness and Romney Marsh, bringing back species extinct since 2000 using Swedish bees
Four Strategic Objectives
1
Land Management Excellence
Manage council-owned land to benefit pollinator habitat and forage across highways, country parks, schools, and waste sites
2
Partnership Collaboration
Work with partners across Kent to protect pollinators and improve habitats through coordinated county-wide action
3
Community Mobilisation
Raise awareness and mobilise Kent's 1.5 million residents to take action in communities, workplaces, schools, and homes
4
Evidence-Based Monitoring
Monitor and evaluate pollinator action to understand impact and direct resources where most needed
Concrete Actions for Change
Pesticide Policy
Dedicated policy ensuring neonicotinoids never used on council land, with continued lobbying against reintroduction
Revised Cutting Regimes
Pollinator-friendly grass cutting and maintenance across highways, country parks, schools, and built estate
Green Infrastructure
Pollinator-friendly planting and bee hotels integrated into buildings and assets across the council estate
Staff Training
Training for land management staff to understand pollinator needs and implement supportive practices
Measuring Success
Key Performance Indicators
  • Annual UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme surveys
  • Number of sites participating in No Mow May
  • Rural verges with conservation cuts
  • Pesticide/herbicide usage reduction
  • Community pollinator pledges
  • Facebook engagement metrics
Biennial reports track progress across all four strategic objectives, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.
Join Kent's Pollinator Revolution
Kent's Plan Bee is a long-term commitment requiring collective action from all 1.5 million Kent residents. Every garden, school, workplace, and community can make a difference.
At Home
Plant pollinator-friendly flowers, create bee hotels, participate in No Mow May
In Schools
Join the Kent Children's University Pollinator Challenge for ages 5-14
In Communities
Follow our Facebook page, subscribe to monthly newsletters, attend annual summits
"If they die, we die. It's that simple." - Seán Holden, Founder of Kent's Plan Bee
Pollinators
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