Not dissimilar to the challenges currently faced by charities across the country, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust is encountering challenging operating conditions, primarily due to rising costs and reduced income – despite the heightened demand for their support.
2024 marked the most challenging year for bumblebees since the commencement of records. 2024 was the worst year for bumblebees since records began. Yet, the Trust’s ability to provide support for bumblebees is currently being compromised at a critical juncture when their assistance is most urgently required.
However, the Trust’s ability to deliver for bumblebees is under strain at the very critical moment when bumblebees need the support most. Data from the Trust’s BeeWalk monitoring scheme reveals a concerning decline in bumblebee populations across Great Britain, with a reduction of nearly a quarter (22.5%) compared to the 2010-2023 average.
“We are facing one of the hardest chapters in our charity’s history. Due to increasing costs, plus the addition of a terrible year for bumblebees, our staff and resources are stretched to their limit. We’re now having to consider which vital projects may no longer be possible. I’ve never been more worried, or more determined to fight for a future for bumblebees,” explained Gill Perkins, CEO of the Trust.
Bumblebees are in crisis. Two species have become nationally extinct, and several others have declined dramatically. Last year, the Trust launched a new, ambitious 10-year strategy to address this problem, however the scale and pace of their work is now having to be reviewed, a situation that could sadly put some of our most threatened bumblebees at risk.
Dr Richard Comont, Science Manager at the Trust added: “The 2024 results from BeeWalk highlight just how vulnerable our bumblebee populations are to shifting climate and environmental conditions. With another challenging year behind us, monitoring in 2025 will be crucial to understanding how – and whether – these species can recover.”
To ensure their work can continue, the Trust has launched a funding appeal, the money from which will allow the organisation to continue to deliver greater scientific understanding about bumblebee populations, more better-connected habitat for bumblebees, and greater public awareness and action to support bumblebees.
Perkins continued: “It is vital that our important work to secure a future for bumblebees continues at pace. The good news is, you can help. Whether you can give £35 to help train a BeeWalk volunteer, or £250 to help create new wildflower habitat, your gift will be put to work right away to make sure no more bumblebee species risk the fate of extinction.”
