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Bumblebee Champions of the Weald

Bumblebee Champions of the Weald is the Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s first project to be run entirely by volunteers. Together, they will help celebrate the area’s rich natural heritage and improve understanding of its important bumblebee populations.

Two volunteers identifying a bumblebee in a pot

The High Weald of East Sussex and Kent is a unique landscape of rolling hills, ancient woodland and a patchwork of lowland meadows and fields. Designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is also home to four of the UK’s seven rarest bumblebee species: the Moss carder bumblebee (Bombus muscorum), Ruderal bumblebee (Bombus ruderatus), Brown‑banded carder bumblebee (Bombus humilis) and the Red‑shanked bumblebee (Bombus ruderarius).

By increasing recording effort in this historically under‑surveyed area, the project hopes to create a clearer picture of local bumblebee populations and leave a lasting legacy of trained BeeWalkers for years to come.

What are we doing?

During 2026, volunteers led by long serving volunteers Morgan and Peter, will:

  • Deliver engaging bumblebee talks and guided walks
  • Run identification training days
  • Support volunteers to undertake BeeWalk surveys – the Trust’s national monitoring scheme
  • Lead bumblebee safaris
  • Build local awareness of the High Weald’s unique wildlife
  • Empower people with the skills and confidence to set up and run BeeWalks across the Weald.

Thanks to a grant from the High Weald Nature and Community Fund, our volunteer team will deliver over 30 events throughout the year. These will include bumblebee talks, identification training sessions, guided bumblebee walks, recruiting and training new BeeWalk volunteers and community outreach and engagement activities. Another aspect will be surveying meadows, gardens, farmland and woodland, and partnership work with organisations such as the National Trust, Great Dixter Garden and the Woodland Trust.

Get involved!

We’re looking for new volunteers to support the project. Whether you’re passionate about bumblebees or have a skill to share, there’s a role for you.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please email bumblebeechampionsoftheweald@bumblebeeconservation.org