So May is Biodiversity month and we’re going to be focusing on acts you can take to increase the pollinators in your garden including planting trees. Flowering trees are an important source of pollen and nectar for pollinators and provide a large amount of food at one time. They are especially important in spring, when tired, overwintered bees emerge and need to feed. Sarah shared her insights on trees for pollinators with Easy Treesie's TEDx for Ireland and we hope that the video will be made available soon!
🌳Trees are helpful to pollinators not just for their flowers but also as windbreaks and as shelter. Foraging bees and other pollinators get easily blown away, as an example, honeybees can’t withstand winds over 40 kph.
🌳Your best bet when planting trees for pollinators is to select a mix of deciduous and conifer trees and ideally shrubs too. Conifers are not pollinated by insects, but they do provide excellent wind protection for bees.
🌳The fallen branches of trees are the preferred nesting spot for many kinds of bees. Even the hollow stems of shrubs can provide nesting spots for some small bees like the tiny harebell carpenter bee.
So which are particularly good trees for bees? We suggest these 7 varieties (although there are many more) that would be good to grow in a garden (some even in a pot) to provide pollen and nectar for the pollinators visiting your garden. Planting trees links well with SDG 13 Climate Action and SDG15 Life on Land.
1. The Future of Living Conference - For one week, this conference will showcase people, organisations and global movements that are leading the way towards a sustainable world. They tell their stories, share their experiences and invite you to exchange ideas. Sarah is hosting a panel discussion on Friday 7th May. 20% discount for Earthology newsletter readers - enter ‘Earthology’ at the checkout.
2. Project DrawdownClimate Solutions 101 is the world’s first major educational effort focused solely on solutions. Rather than rehashing well-known climate challenges, Project Drawdown centers game-changing climate action based on its own rigorous scientific research and analysis. Check out this course with the expertise of several inspiring voices from around the world.
3. Climate ConferenceJune 23rd-24th is Ireland's EPA Climate Change Conference 2021. It's all about Climate Solutions for a Better Tomorrow, exploring the achievement of climate neutrality by 2050; the challenges and solutions, the role of society in the transition to climate neutrality and resilience. Register for free.
1. Weds 5th May - Gardening No Dig Style with Charles Dowding - Charles Dowding is one of the UK’s foremost advocates of organic growing. His formidable No Dig method, a system using raised beds and a thick mulch to the soil surface, has consistently produced higher yields and healthier crops – without the dreaded back breaking digging!
2. Tues 11th May - Natural Capital Ireland Data 4 Nature Workshop - The event will focus on the types of data needed for natural capital accounting and biodiversity monitoring e.g. data relating to natural capital assets, extent and location and ecosystem condition, services and benefits.
If you would like to learn more about how you or your work place can become more sustainable, we would be delighted to help you on your green journey. Contact us via email at sarah@earthology.ie, or phone on +353 (0)1 6877151.
