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Stroud - the world's first Bee Guardian town

In the summer of 2011, new Stroud boundary signs were installed. They show that the town is the world's first Bee Guardian town. The Bee Guardian Foundation is an educational conservation organisation that aims to help all bee species and other pollinators, empowering people, institutions, companies, towns and cities to become Bee Guardians.

Stroud's commitment means that the town aims to
● Protect and enhance bee diversity in the town.
● Raise awareness and educate the community about the importance of bee diversity, including bumble bees, solitary bees and other pollinators.
● Improve the health, mentally and physically, of Stroud's people by encouraging them to participate in the Stroud Bee Guardian town, so that they will visit, enjoy and appreciate the green spaces and footpaths managed by Stroud Town Council.
● Lead the way in protecting bee diversity within the town.

Examples of the new commitment are:
● The Stroud Green Spaces team has pledged not to use pesticides in the town’s 24 Green Spaces and to use bee-friendly pollination plants.
● The town council has changed how it manages dead trees by leaving stumps which volunteers then drill to provide bee houses.