Work is well underway on an innovative partnership project aimed at helping Aberdeen’s bees, and other pollinators, thrive and survive.
The Aberdeen B-Lines project is a partnership between Aberdeen City Council and Buglife Scotland, a conservation charity that works to halt the decline of invertebrates through practical conservation, shaping policy, raising awareness and inspiring community participation.
Council Co Leader and Convener of the Net Zero, Environment and Transport committee, Councillor Ian Yuill, said: “It’s impossible to overstate the importance of this project given that every third mouthful of food we eat is dependent on pollinators.
“The aim is to enhance, restore and create 20 hectares of Council owned land as ‘B- Line pathways’ – wildflower abundant routes – through Aberdeen for bees, butterflies and other wildlife. This will help to offset the loss of flower rich grasslands in which they thrive.
“Importantly, the project offers the opportunity for local communities, schools, and external bodies to get involved and create spaces for nature where they live and work.”
The Aberdeen B-Lines project, part of a UK-wide programme, is focusing on the wildlife corridors of the River Don, River Dee, and the coast. Sites selected for habitat improvements stretch from TECA in the north to Torry Battery in the south and include much-loved spots such as Donmouth Nature Reserve, the Beach Esplanade, Seaton and Duthie parks and Deeside Way stations.
Wildflower grassland enhancement work commenced in the Spring, with volunteers involved in seeding and plug planting events. A number of public engagement events have also been hosted by Buglife at the various sites across the city including pollinator survey training, insect ID walks and school engagement sessions.
Buglife Conservation Officer, Ruth Quigley, said: “The Aberdeen B-Lines project has had a really positive response from the public; special thanks are due to all the volunteers that have helped out so far. It’s been great seeing people get inspired to help our pollinators, and to see the planting we have done so far come into bloom”.
The council has recently received recognition in the NatureScot Progress Report on the Pollinator Strategy for Scotland, which is published annually to highlight the wide range of projects helping deliver The Pollinator Strategy for Scotland 2017-2027.
The B-Lines project will further council and citywide goals such as the statutory Biodiversity Duty, supporting the aims of the Natural Environment Strategy under Net Zero Aberdeen, and linked to the Local Outcome Improvement Plan stretch outcome 15 – Addressing the nature crisis by protecting/ managing 26% of Aberdeen’s area for nature by 2026.
Aberdeen B-Lines is supported in part by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot.
Main Image © Aberdeen City Council
