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In recent years changes to farming practices has lead to a decline in bumblebee populations within the UK. The UK has 24 native species of bumblebee of which two have become nationally extinct within the last 70 years and a further six are critically endangered and on the list of UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species.

From their base in Scotland, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust has raised awareness of the bumblebee’s plight across the UK. The Trust hosted a variety of events, built an interactive website, provided training in bumblebee identification and habitat-management techniques, and promoted bumblebee gardening. ‘Beewatch’, a national bumblebee survey, generated over 5,000 records in its first year. A bumblebee reserve, thought to be the first of its kind in the world, was also created near Perth and Kinross to help boost their numbers.

• Promote awareness of bumblebee conservation issues and wildlife gardening activities.
• Employ a part time conservation officer for a period of three years to facilitate the participation of communities in conservation activities and educate the public about the issues facing these species.
• Teach people about bumblebees, how to identify them and set up a volunteer bumblebee recording network.
• Advertise activities through articles in the media (newspapers, radio and TV).

• The UK’s first ever reserve dedicated to bumblebees has been created - a 7.7ha wildflower meadow at RSPB Vane Farm Nature Reserve. Bumblebee gardens have also been created at Johnston Terrace Gardens, Edinburgh and on the University of Stirling campus.
• Bumblebee gardening and the creation of nesting sites was promoted to 7,300 Trust members who were sent a free pack of 'Bumblebee Blend' wildflower seed mix containing a variety of attractive wildflower species loved by bumblebees. As well as instructions on how to sow the seeds, members were provided with information about which individual plant species are most attractive to bees, what garden conditions suit them and how to collect their own seed.
• Talks were given to hundreds of people about how to identify different types of bumblebee and how to help safeguard their future.
• ‘Beewatch’, a national bumblebee survey, generated in excess of 80,000 reports since the launch of the project. All records have been sent to the Biological Recording Centre – the UK's repository for biological records.

• Everyone can participate in this project as bumblebees can be found anywhere in the UK and no specialist equipment is required to identify and record them.
• Over 300 people were given training in bumblebee identification and habitat-management techniques.
• In excess of 30 bumblebee identification workshops were held which were led by 10 volunteers.
• Over 7000 members benefited from a bi-annual newsletter which featured articles on bumblebee conservation projects, bee identification and bee distribution. 
• To raise awareness the Trust has generated extensive media coverage and attended many public events such as the Hampton Court Flower Show and Gardening Scotland.
• The project’s education pack has been a huge success in primary schools across Scotland with over 100 copies distributed so far.
• The project proved so successful that not only were sufficient funds generated to recruit a conservation officer but five more staff are now employed full-time.

• It is easy to underestimate the work involved in having to service a large number of members.
• It is easier to get money for a specific conservation project, for example the creation of a habitat, than it is to cover the core costs of a project such as staff and a membership database. Whilst finding funding for core staff and administration is less glamorous, it is hard to run a project without such support!

• By raising awareness, involving the public and promoting best conservation practice, existing bumblebee populations will be safeguarded and hopefully their decline halted.
• 'Beewatch' will continue to run in future years and will help the Trust to map the distributions of many of the UK's native bumblebee species and identify locations where our most endangered species are found, thus helping the Trust to direct their efforts into the most significant areas. A new related scheme – 'Beewalk' – is due to be launched which will enable the Trust to analyse how bumblebees numbers are changing over time. This together with population data will help the Trust plan and deliver better conservation.
• The Trust's interactive website will ensure the widest possible audience can be reached and get involved 

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