The Bee Bold Awards 2022 was launched this year by West of England Metro mayor Dan Norris, recognising organisations big and small that are taking positive action to support bees and pollinators. This is all with the aim of making the West of England the Pollinator Capital of the UK and helping to tackle the ecological crisis within the region.

Grow Wilder is an Avon Wildlife Trust reserve run by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, where the charity grows and sells wildflowers and vegetables, and holds courses and events where people can learn how to take action for nature at home, in schools and in their workplaces.

The People for Nature Award was presented during a wildflower planting challenge on Saturday 1 October, involving 10,000 plug plants from Grow Wilder. It recognises organisations that engage their employees, customers, communities and partners to actively create pollinator-friendly places by:

• Bringing employees together to work on environmental issues 
• Supporting community initiatives 
• Raising the profile of business in supporting pollinators 
• Involving or engaging customers with pollinators 

Members of the Grow Wilder team attended the mass planting event which created a new wildflower meadow at Siston Common, including Shaun Waycott, who manages the wildflower nursery and led a team of volunteers in preparing the plants for the big event, and Chris Kaboutian, who manages the Grow Wilder site. Also in attendance was Dan Norris, Metro Mayor, Avon Wildlife Trust’s chief executive, Ian Barrett, along with other Avon Wildlife Trust members of staff, volunteers and supporters, and members of the local community.

Reflecting on the team’s efforts and this award win, Grow Wilder’s site manager, Chris Kaboutian, said:

“This is just the tip of the iceberg and we need to do many more of these mass wildflower plantings. Getting these nectar rich habitats reinstated is crucial if we want to make the West the place to be for pollinators. I’m really proud of the wider team who made this happen.”

 Ian Barrett, chief executive of Avon Wildlife Trust, added:

“Grow Wilder is a fantastic site, which embodies the work we’re doing to inspire, support and empower people to take action for wildlife.

“We want everyone to feel part of Team Wilder, working together to create and restore homes for nature and bring wildlife back into gardens, communities, business parks and farmland right across Avon.

“Wild bees and pollinators are at the heart of nature’s recovery and I’m delighted that the West of England Mayor has initiated these awards to celebrate action for nature. Congratulations to Chris, Shaun and the team at Grow Wilder for this well-deserved award.”