Not the number eight inner circle, but a new project to help bees and other pollinators. Run by Buglife, the insect charity, and the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country, Urban Buzz was launched at the Council House last week. Birmingham (plus the Black Country) is one of eight cities where landscapes will be improved by planting wildflowers to attract and support bees, butterflies, hoverflies and other important insects. These are essential to the food chain – without them we would not have many every day food items.

Over the next three years it is planned that 10,000 volunteers will be involved in improving areas equal to about 20 football pitches. These may be existing closely mown amenity grasslands or newly created wildflower meadows. They will be turned into ‘Buzzing Hotspots’ – colourful and vibrant, literally buzzing with life. Trees, shrubs and flowers will be planted, and nesting walls, bee banks and bee ’hotels’ will be installed. As a result there will be more foraging and nesting places for many different insects.

People will benefit too. There will be more wildlife-rich greenspaces to enjoy, with all the health benefits that brings, the chance to learn new skills and to improve their neighbourhood. Councillor Lisa Trickett, Cabinet member for Sustainability for Birmingham City Council, said “I am delighted Birmingham is one of the pioneering cities involved in the Urban Buzz programme to demonstrate how simple changes to land management can help provide food and shelter for bees and other pollinators. We will be working with local communities and partners to develop two areas: the Urban Wellbeing Park in Erdington, linking Sutton Park National Nature Reserve with Spaghetti Junction, and the A38 corridor between Northfield and the city centre

Buglife says ‘Urban Buzz is a great project for Birmingham as it will bring resources expertise and energy into a lot of work and ideas that are currently happening around the City. It will bring together key council figures, the Nature Improvement Area (NIA) and fantastic local community groups passionate about their parks and open spaces.’

The project will run over three years with an initial 18 months of intensive support thanks to a generous grant from Biffa Award of more than £1 million, along with sizeable contributions from other funders both nationally and locally.

See more at: https://www.buglife.org.uk/urban-buzz/birmingham

Twitter: @PeteWestbrom