#BulbforBees

A TALLAGHT teenager has encouraged his local community to plant pollinator-friendly bulbs to help safeguard the future of Ireland’s bee population.

A member of Citywise Education in Jobstown, Joel Osaghae (18) is part a nationwide campaign to celebrate 35 years of Gaisce, the President’s Award – and to protect one of the main players in pollination.

The #BulbsforBees campaign encourages everyone, schools, local authorities, sports clubs, shops, community groups, to come together and create an Ireland where ‘pollinators can survive and thrive’.

People can plant their #BulbsforBees in a garden, a pot on a windowsill or in a planter, with Joel stressing that every bulb counts.

Speaking with The Echo this week, Joel, who has just completed his Silver Gaisce Award, spoke of how one third of Ireland’s bee species is threatened with extinction.

Joel Osaghae pictured with Caoimhe Martin at the launch of the nationwide campaign #BulbsforBees

“The project is about trying to help pollinators, and get people involved”, he said.

“I find it’s a good way for me to play my part.

“Even the little things that you do can make a big difference over time.  “I feel that we should preserve the environment we all live in.

“At the end of the day there’s no planet B, it’s the only planet we have, and we should protect it for future generations to come.”

The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, which has approved the #BulbsforBees campaign, has listed Crocus Tommasinianus Barr’s Purple, Allium Moly and Muscari Armeniacum as appropriate bulbs for planting in September and October.

For the full buzz on the campaign, branded the ‘biggest pollination project Ireland has ever seen, visit gaisce.ie/BulbsForBees or learn more on #BulbsforBees on Gaisce’s social media platforms.