Create a mini jungle in your back garden!

How would you like to create a mini jungle in your back garden, buzzing with bees and other insects?
Dave GoulsonDave Goulson
Dave Goulson

Wildlife guru Professor Dave Goulson will explain how “gardening can save the planet” when he offers a free online talk as part of the Green Books series.

The series is a new initiative from environment group Greening Steyning in which leading non-fiction authors are invited to talk about their latest books on a range of environmental issues and about what we can do to protect biodiversity and live more sustainable lives.

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The talk is on Thursday, March 4 from 7.30-8.30pm. Tickets are available on http://bit.ly/GreenBooks4MarSpokeswoman Joanne Knowles said: “Professor Goulson founded the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, a charity devoted to reversing bumblebee declines. In 2013 he moved to Sussex University where he is studying pollinators and especially their sustainable management in agro-ecosystems.

“His latest book, The Garden Jungle, is a wonderful introduction to the hundreds of small creatures with whom we live cheek by jowl and of the myriad ways that we can encourage them to thrive. Steyning Bookshop are offering a 15 per cent discount on this fantastic book. You can order online: mention Green Books.

“According to Kew gardens, around 75 per cent of crop plants require some degree of animal pollination, including many of our everyday fruit and vegetables. Of all the different animals and insects that serve as pollinators, the most important are bees.”

Tony Whitbread, of Sussex Wildlife Trust who will be hosting the online conversation, explained: “We rely on wild bees to pollinate our crops, but wild bee populations are now in decline due to climate change and modern farming practices which have resulted in extreme weather, habitat loss, increased stress and susceptibility to diseases and competition from invasive species. Everything we can do in our gardens to support pollinators and increase biodiversity will help build resilience for these vital insects.”

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Geoff Barnard, co-chairman of Greening Steyning, said: “Greening Steyning has the ambition goal of working with others to make ours one of the greenest, healthiest and most sustainable communities in the UK by 2030.

“Dave is a world expert on bees and has created a beautiful garden in Sussex. We are delighted he has agreed to talk to us about how we can make changes right here in our own back gardens.”

“You can either book a free ticket or choose to make a small donation to help cover the costs of the event and support the work of Greening Steyning.”

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