Bumblebee Champions of the South Kent Marshes
A volunteer led project to create a long-term legacy for bumblebee conservation in south Kent by engaging, training and supporting volunteers to lead recording, wildflower surveying and habitat management activities across key sites.
What are we doing?
Bumblebee Champions of the South Kent Marshes aims to create a long-term, self-sustaining legacy for bumblebee conservation in south Kent by building a strong network of skilled, local volunteers over a duration of 18 months.
We’re engaging and training existing and new volunteers, increasing awareness of the importance of bumblebees and their habitats, and strengthening the Trust’s ability to collect accurate, up-to-date data on bumblebee populations and wildflower resources.
From July 2026 to December 2027, the majority of field activities are taking place during the bumblebee season between March and October. The data collected will contribute to the Trust’s national understanding of bumblebee distribution and abundance, helping to identify where conservation action is most needed, while wildflower surveys and habitat work will identify and improve important forage resources.
The project is building on two of the Trust’s previous projects in Kent and East Sussex, aiming to leave a lasting legacy by creating a community of volunteers who can continue to lead activities, recruit others and take action for bumblebees beyond the lifetime of the grant.
Target species
Four of the UK’s rarest bumblebee species occur in the south of Kent, including the UK’s rarest, the Shrill carder bumblebee (Bombus sylvarum), rerecorded on the Romney Marsh after a 12-year absence in 2024. Other species include the Moss carder bumblebee (Bombus muscorum), Ruderal bumblebee (Bombus ruderal) and Brown-banded carder bumblebee (Bombus humilis).
Goals and objectives
During the project, volunteers are delivering 12 bumblebee recording blitzes and 12 BeeWalks at RSPB Dungeness, 25 wildflower surveys across St Mary’s Marsh, Newchurch Ponds, Kent & East Sussex Railway, Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm and Catt Farm, and six habitat management work parties at these selected sites.
The project aims to engage around 100 people, including at least 10 new Trust volunteers. Existing volunteers will be supported to take on leadership roles, sharing their skills and knowledge with others, overseen by our lead volunteers, Clare and Kat.
Get involved!
We’re looking for volunteers from all walks of life to support the project! Whether you’re passionate about bumblebees or have a skill to share, there’s a place for you:
- Join BeeWalk to monitor bumblebee populations
- Join a blitz day
- Join wildflower surveys
- Take part in habitat creation days
Donations and local sponsorship also help extend the project’s reach and impact.
If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer, please email Nikki.gammans@bumblebeeconservation.org
