Make homes for bees at the Wetlands this Easter

A special workshop at Axe Estuary Wetlands is giving people the opportunity to help protect and conserve Britain's bee population this Easter.

Making Homes for Bees will see East Devon's Countryside team work with participants to construct bee houses for their gardens.  It takes pace on Wednesday 3 April from 10am-1pm at Axe Estuary Wetlands in Seaton. 

Ghislaine Silvers from East Devon District Council's Countryside team said: "The most important thing that bees do is pollinate – this is necessary for plants to reproduce. Plants are vital to our lives – for clean air, food, shelter, clothing, medicines as well as enhancing the beauty of our environment – so the fact that many species that we rely on for pollination are in decline is a serious problem.

"We can help resolve this by attracting beneficial bugs to our gardens, for example by planting a variety of flowering plants, particularly native species, and making sure that we are providing suitable habitats for important pollinators to thrive in.

"You can make a start by encouraging the Leaf Cutter Bee and the Red Mason Bee (both harmless) to take up residence in your garden.

"Come along to the Axe Estuary Wetlands classroom on Wednesday 3 April and we'll help you put together your own bee house which you can then take home and put up in a south facing position. Then sit back and wait for the bees to arrive! 

"We have had positive feedback from people who have made the bee homes in previous years that they really do work, and bees have actually moved in."

The cost is £7.50 to cover costs of materials. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking is essential as places are limited – call the Countryside team on 01395 517557 or email Countryside@eastdevon.gov.uk