A HUGE amount of work is currently being undertaken to implement Scotland's Pollinator Strategy.

Detailed in a new progress report published by NatureScot, there are ongoing projects across Scotland providing help for bees, hoverflies and other pollinators, aiming to halt and reverse the decline in native populations.

Success stories in 2021 included the sowing of dozens of new wildflower meadows and improvements to road verge habitats. Projects also created ‘wild’ spaces in school grounds, improved community greenspaces for pollinators and planted countless pollinator-friendly spring bulbs, fruit trees and hedgerows.

NatureScot pollinator strategy manager, Jim Jeffrey, said: “This latest progress report comes on the back of Glasgow hosting COP26, and there is no doubt now that the twin challenges of climate change and nature loss are in the forefront of everyone’s minds.

Read more: A welcome boost to pollinator populations across Scotland

“Scotland is doing its utmost to address pollinator declines and we are fortunate that so many individuals and organisations recognise their plight and are taking steps to help these vital insects.

“It’s particularly encouraging to see local authorities increasingly embracing opportunities to manage public spaces in a wildlife-friendly way, making space for nature by reducing mowing and planting for pollinators," said Mr Jeffrey.

“At NatureScot we are pleased to have been able to support many projects through the Scottish Government’s Biodiversity Challenge Fund and look forward to building on this work through the new £65m Nature Restoration Fund.”