In 2022 Vistry Group were shortlisted in the ‘Big Biodiversity Awards’ for our ‘Pollinate in Partnerships’ initiative. The initiative, in partnership with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and Pollenize, aims to support the declining UK bumblebee and insect population by actively working to deliver suitable habitats within our sites. This project was set up in 2021 to educate, engage and deliver meaningful action on Vistry Group’s development sites. Initially, 5 pilot sites participated and ‘Pollinate in Partnerships’ has now been rolled out to 16 of our development sites.
Bees and pollinators play a crucial role in our ecosystem and are essential for food production and agriculture and so it is critical that we work to reverse the declining populations.
Vistry Group work with project and site teams from planning to delivery stage to identify suitable locations within our sites for wildflower meadows, orchards, edible hedgerows and sub-rain gardens. We work with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust who survey our sites for existing opportunities for bees and pollinators and provide recommendations as to how we can enhance this, which are then implemented. We are also seeking to educate new residents by providing them with wildflower seeds and information leaflets as part of their welcome packs – so far over 2,000 packets of wildflower seeds have been distributed.
Vistry Group are able to monitor (through the use of QR codes on seed packets) how many wildflowers are being supported by this initiative and will use this information to expand the project across more sites.
As well as delivering wildflower meadows and specialised planting schemes on our sites, the ‘Pollinate in Partnerships’ initiative has also delivered a Garden Guide which was rolled out at our Harrington Park site in Exeter. Residents were provided with a user friendly but detailed guide providing information as to how they could enhance their garden for bees and pollinators including ideas for specific plants to consider.
Vistry Group are working hard to ensure that our sites deliver on this fantastic initiative and are rolling out training and information sessions to educate employees on the opportunities available for their sites and in their regions. We are also offering educational sessions and informative assemblies to schools on or near our development sites. We are actively engaging with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and other biodiversity trusts and groups to ensure we are achieving the best results for both wildlife and communities.