WIREDGOV

Minister for Environment Hannah Blythyn has praised the ‘buzz in the air’ during a visit to the first Bee Friendly city in Wales yesterday.

Speaking during her visit to St Davids, the Minister said the Caru Gwenyn/Bee Friendly initiative had benefitted not only the environment but local residents and businesses too.

She added the project, which is believed to be the first co-ordinated national scheme of its kind, has at its heart making Wales a pollinator-friendly country.

Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm, a visitor attraction and research centre, instigated and co-ordinated the project that led to St Davids becoming accredited as Bee Friendly.

The Bee Friendly scheme works by encouraging schools, businesses and communities to help combat the decline of insect pollinators. They can do this by providing food and habitat for pollinators, avoiding the use of pesticides and promoting actions that help pollinators.

One of the key parts of the project has been the St Davids Pollinator Trail.

The innovative project, pioneered by Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm and supported by The Tourism Product Innovation Fund and Biodiversity Solutions, is an interactive trail linking tourism sites across the St Davids Peninsula. 

The educational trail links art, science and conservation, hoping to inspire visitors to get involved at home too.

Many local residents, businesses, heritage sites, the St Davids City Council and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority have all welcomed the bee friendly status and are committed to supporting the project.

Hannah Blythyn said: 

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of my visit to the St Davids Pollinator Trail and there has been a real buzz in the air about the work being carried out here.

“This scheme has already had a massive impact on the local area and been widely welcomed by businesses and residents alike. Projects like these show how much we care about the environment in Wales and how changing attitudes are making a real difference to how we interact with what is around us.

“Wales is leading the way in raising awareness of the importance of these pollinators and our role in protecting them.

“We are committed to supporting innovative projects and welcome this landmark work that shows Wales is a pollinator-friendly country.”