Bee-Keeping

In April 2010 Rockingham Forest Trust Rangers and FOSiLs started a bee conservation project to help the plight of the honey bee. Honey from the beehives will be available to purchase in the Visitor Centre shop and all profits will be invested back into the project. A third of the crops in the area rely on the bee for pollination, so help them if you can by buying local honey.

In February 2012, thanks to funding from the Big Lottery Awards for All Fund, ‘Stanwick Lakes Hive of Activity’ was launched by Rockingham Forest Trust (the charity which runs Stanwick Lakes as a social enterprise).

‘Stanwick Lakes Hive of Activity’ is working to help educate the local community about honey bees. The Rangers are training a number of volunteers who are getting to grips with the details of how to look after bees. Thanks to the ‘Awards for All’ grant we have bee suits and equipment for people to use whilst they are learning. There is a waiting list for new volunteers who would like to learn about bee keeping at Stanwick Lakes.

In addition to training new bee keepers, Rockingham Forest Trust is creating new areas of wild flower meadow, to increase the range of nectar sources for the honey bees.

To find out how you can get involved with the project and do your bit for the honey bee please call 01933 625522.