World Bee Day: Get free seeds for your corps or centre!

Ahead of World Bee Day (20 May), Claire Anderson talks to Major Heather Poxon about an opportunity to make a difference.

The challenge Heather is setting is simple: to set aside a third of your community or living spaces to care for creation and create safe havens for pollinators. The inspiration comes from the United Nation Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in December 2022, when measures were agreed to halt and reverse nature loss, including putting 30 per cent of the planet and 30 per cent of degraded ecosystems under protection by 2030.

To help you create a bee-friendly space, apply now for a free packet of bee-friendly seeds to plant by World Environment Day (5 June). Email resources@salvationarmy.org.uk to request a packet – first come, first served.

Heather says: ‘The stakes are high: the planet is experiencing a dangerous decline in nature as a result of human activity, but we can all play a part in caring for our world. Nature isn't something we can choose to care about – it's vital to our very existence.

‘Bees and other pollinators are increasingly under threat from human activities and not only do they contribute directly to food security, they are also key to conserving biodiversity. If we see the current trend continue in their decline, we can expect to see nutritious crops, such as fruits, nuts and many vegetables, become less available, more expensive and substituted increasingly by staple crops like rice, corn and potatoes, eventually resulting in an imbalanced diet.

‘We can look out for natural pollinators – bees, butterflies, beetles, bats, for example – by reserving a third of our land, gardens, balcony containers, to embrace them. This will make a safe space without harmful chemicals that keeps a garden “attractive” and not harm natural visitors. You can leave a section of soil to grow wild and encourage biodiversity, or build a bug hotel in it, or provide a safe space for squirrels and birds to feed or shelter. It really is that easy.’

Take action

• Email resources@salvationarmy.org.uk to request a packet of bee-friendly seeds to plant before 5 June
• Mark Environment Sunday on 4 June or organise an event in your community for World Environment Day
• Read more about our work on the Environmental Office page and learn about eco-church schemes
• Read more about The Salvation Army’s vision and mission