Awareness of the environmental threat to Ireland’s bee population has increased but now it must be backed up by change in behaviour, according to conservationists. President Michael D Higgins has joined the call for action saying: “Humanity depends on pollinators. President Michael D Higgins, with on left Prof Jane Stout, Professor in botany at Trinity College and Dr Una FitzPatrick of the National Biodiversity Data Centre, in the gardens of Áras an Uachtaráin. Photograph: Sean Gallup/Getty ImagesPlanting nectar-bearing flowers for decorative purposes on balconies, terraces, and gardens can help reduce the threat to Ireland’s bee population. The National Biodiversity Data Centre deploys volunteers all over the country to monitor bumblebee and butterfly populations – see http://records.biodiversityireland.ieFor other tips see: http://pollinators.ie/gardens/

Source: The Irish Times May 19, 2019 14:37 UTC