A scheme to showcase the work of organisations across the West of England to support bees will be returning for a second year, it has been announced.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris’ Bee Bold Awards 2023 have opened for submissions and will close at 11.59pm on Friday 28th April.
From offices to schools, community allotments to factories, all pollinator-loving organisations across Bath and North East Somerset are being encouraged to take part.
The competition looks to celebrate those in the region who have gone above and beyond to look after local bees.
This could be through creating a blossoming community patch, nature-friendly allotments and everything in between.
The competition will be split into two categories:
- Space for Nature: recognising organisations that have created gardens or pollinator spaces within their workplaces
- People for Nature: recognising organisations that engage their employees, customers or communities to create places for nature.
In 2022’s awards scheme, over 40 pollinator-friendly firms and groups across the region applied to take part in the inaugural Bee Bold Awards – with six eventual “Pollinator Champion” winners.
Up to three finalists from each category will be chosen by Mr Norris’s pollinator panel of judges, and all finalists will receive an award and be promoted across the region. Winners will be announced in early June.
From bees to butterflies, the UK’s 1,500 species of pollinators play a crucial role, pollinating 84% of crops and 80% of wildflowers, and contributing significantly to the regional economy.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “Calling all Bath and NE Somerset pollinator pal groups – please get involved and share your brilliant ideas to help the West of England’s pollinators.
“Because bees and pollinators do such vital work on our behalf, flying from crop to crop, tree to tree meaning we get delicious West of England food and drink like strawberries or cider.
“2022’s pollinator champions are doing exceptional things to return the favour. But I know there are even more amazing organisations of all sizes doing their bit to look after Bath and NE Somerset’s pollinators.
“With the Bee Bold Awards, 2023, we’ll give them the recognition they so utterly deserve.”