Pollinating the Peak, run by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, was presented with the National Lottery Project of the Year Award trophy by Autumnwatch presenter Micheala Strachan.

She said: “The decline of our bumblebees is hugely concerning, so it's incredibly encouraging to meet people who so obviously care and enthusiastically educate others in such an engaging and positive way."

Securing a future for bumblebees

Bumblebees play a vital part in pollinating plants, but according to the Trust, the UK’s bumblebee population has plummeted over the last 80 years. This has lead to serious concerns about the future of our ecosystem.

This inspiring project has enabled so many people to make a positive impact for bumblebees and their habitats.

It has never been more important for us all to take action for the future of our natural world and National Lottery funding for projects such as this remains vital.

Ros Kerslake CBE, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund

That’s why the charity established Pollinating the Peak, a project which aims to reverse the terminal decline of bumblebees in the Peak District area. It also educates the public about the importance of these insects and how best to care for them.

The project received £967,200 of National Lottery funding enabling it to deliver bumblebee workshops in schools, provide free online resources and create the hugely popular ‘What’s that bumblebee’ app.

Sally Cuckney, Project Manager at the Bumblebee Conservation Trust said: “With the help and support from The National Lottery, we have engaged thousands of people across Derbyshire to help raise awareness, provide habitat and skills for people to love and care for our precious bumblebees, especially the Bilberry bumblebee.”

Watch the interview with the Pollinating the Peak team.

National Lottery support for nature

Over the last 27 years, The National Lottery Heritage Fund has invested more than £1.9billion into landscape and nature projects across the UK.

Ros Kerslake CBE, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “From bumblebee surveys in their own backyards to embarking on careers as conservationists, the inspiring Pollinating the Peak project has enabled so many people to make a positive impact for bumblebees and their habitats.

“It has never been more important for us all to take action for the future of our natural world and National Lottery funding for projects such as this remains vital.

“Congratulations to everyone involved, this award is well deserved.”

The National Lottery Awards

Each year, the National Lottery Awards celebrate the inspirational people and projects who do extraordinary things with the help of National Lottery funding.

Read our news story about the National Lottery award-winning environmentalist who is opening up the outdoors.