The Bee Kind Challenge
The Bee Kind Challenge is designed to make taking environmental action simple, easy and fun.
See how many steps in the challenge you can complete and experience the ways in which connecting with nature, planting flowers and supporting wildlife is good for your mental health ( find out more here)
Step 1: Plant a bee friendly flower pot
Whatever your space there is a plant that will fit, many pollinator friendly plants grow happily in pots and on window ledges.
See our Planting Seeds of Hope guide for planting ideas, including annuals that will quickly grow from seed to flower in approximately eight weeks.
Proud of how your flower pot is looking? Share it with us by adding #beekindchallenge
See our step one blog post here.
Step 2: Let your grass grow and No Mow May.
You don’t need to be a beekeeper to help keep bees. If you have a garden the simplest step you can take to support wildlife is to cut your grass less often.
Research by Plantlife shows that flower and nectar production is highest in lawns cut once every 4 weeks. Find out about Plantlife’s No Mow May
This means you can help without needing to let your grass grow really long. See our Loan Your Lawn / No Mow May guide
See our step 2 blog post here
Step 3: Make your garden a pesticide free zone
Pesticides are an enormous threat to pollinators and of increasing concern to human health. Discover natural alternatives, like plant teas that will help you win the battle against aphids and other garden pests without causing harm to the environment. See our Make Your Garden Pesticide Free guide.
See our step 3 blog post here
Step 4: Create pollinator homes
This can be as simple as a wild patch of long grass or as fancy as a bee hotel, both encourage pollinators by providing a habitat in which they can nest and shelter. Don’t forget something to drink! Bees drink nectar, but also need fresh water, this is especially important on hot sunny days. To learn how to provide everything bees need see our Why Bees Need Homes Guide.
See our step 4 blog post here
Step 5 Be kind to tired bees.
The best way to be kind to bees is to follow steps 1-4 but you might, in hot weather and urban environments, come across tired bees that have run out of energy. If you see a bee on the ground it could be a tired bee that simply needs a rest and an energy boost in which case you can be kind and offer a helping hand. Its important to be careful when rescuing bees, for you as well as them so please follow our guide here.
See our step 5 blog post here
Step 6: Bee a Messenger
From pre-dynastic Egypt to Vedic India, Classical Greece to Celtic Ireland bees have appeared in mythology, often as the messengers of the gods, able to descend to the underworld.
Now it’s our turn to be messengers for the bees and raise awareness of all the ways that individuals and communities can help save our vital pollinators.
See our step 6 blog post here
Here are some of the ways you can help raise awareness and Bee a Messenger:
Share The Bee Kind Challenge with your local school, council or community group and ask them to take part
Share The Bee Kind Challenge on your social media #beekindchallenge#save the bees
Follow us on social media to share our latest bee inspired posts
Get the bee-shirt to help raise awareness in your local community and we will make a donation to The National Trusts' “Everyone Needs nature Campaign” learn more here
If you are in full time education take part in our Bee Inspired Art and Design competition.
Join a local conservation organisation and connect with others helping your local environment. As honeybees demonstrate teamwork gets results!