The Grassland Trust has received funding from Grantscape’s Working with Nature’ programme to increase the population of the shrill carder bee, one of the UK’s rarest bumblebees, by undertaking restoration of its primary habitat, wildlife-rich grasslands at Carmel Woods National Nature Reserve. Working in partnership with Bumblebee Conservation Trust, the project will focus on 40 ha of UK Biodiversity Action Plan grassland habitats, restoring semi-improved grasslands and establishing appropriate grazing regimes. It will also extend the habitat available and reduce fragmentation through the purchase of land adjacent to the existing reserve, so helping to create larger areas of bee-friendly habitat.

The UK’s wildlife-rich grasslands have declined by 97% in the last 70 years as a result of intensive agriculture, development and neglect. Alongside this decline, profound impacts have been seen for native bumblebee populations. The shrill carder bee is one of the two rarest bumblebees and there are only six populations remaining in the UK. Recent studies suggest that these populations are precariously small, with extinction being a real possibility. There are two areas of official records for Wales – Swansea and Pembrokeshire, but the species has been seen at Carmel, so the idea is to link these two populations.

The project will contribute to UKBAP targets for the shrill carder bee by supporting the expansion of its existing population through key habitat works.

For more information contact Jemma Saunders at the Grassland Trust This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it