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A campaign that inspired islanders to grow pollinator friendly plants in their gardens during lockdown provided "real community benefits" at a time when many people were struggling with their physical and mental health.
During the corona virus crisis earlier this year, the Pollinator Project received permission from Public Health to run a Covid-19 lockdown education and health initiative alongside Guernsey Mind.
“Our message was simple - get outdoors and reconnect with nature," said Pollinator Project co-ordinator Barry Wells. "Not only to make a difference to garden wildlife, but also to enjoy the benefits that spending time outdoors has on our physical and mental health”
As part of that campaign, and through the financial support of Credit Suisse, the Pollinator Project gave away 3,000 packets of pollinator friendly flower seeds, so that householders across the island could create pollinator patches in their own gardens, either as part of a flower border or just a pot on a patio.
“The campaign was a huge success and inspired many people to grow pollinator friendly plants in their gardens right through the summer and into autumn," said Mr Wells. "This in turn has provided a fantastic extra resource to all our pollinating bees, butterflies and other insects."
"We had so many lovely pictures of people’s flowers on our Facebook page that we decided to launch a 'pollinator patch' competition at the end of the summer."
Following a donation from Saffery Champness, ten prizes were awarded to winners, who each received a gift voucher from Grow Limited, so they can choose from their range of pesticide- and peat-free pollinator-friendly plants.
"It’s been a real community effort with real community benefits," Mr Wells concluded.
Pictured top: The winners with Paul Annegarn, CEO of Credit Suisse, the seed sponsor; Donna Brehaut, Trust Manager from Saffery Champness, sponsor of the patch competition; and representatives from the Pollinator Project and Grow Limited.
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