POLLENIZE IN THE ISLES OF SCILLY

Together with a team passionate scientists, beekeepers and advocates for sustainable beekeeping we are working to help wild bees and honeybees thrive on the Isles of Scilly.

Please consider making a donation to support our important work on the islands through:

  • Community beekeeping

  • DNA research

  • Studies on micro plastics, pollutants and pesticides

  • Native meadow creation

  • Public engagement

  • Asian hornet prevention

Thanks to our partners and sponsors...

The Scillionian Bee Project

The partnership kickstarted when Pollenize first visited the islands in June 2022 to install a research hive at Saleekee Farm, St Mary’s. In support of the Scillonian Bee Project we were able to collect drone samples from different beekeepers from across the islands, this would help build a picture of the species of honey bees on the islands in continuation and conjunction with the B4 Project’s work.

 

Asian Hornet Detection

The Asian hornet is a highly predative non-native species that hails from east Asia and has spread rapidly throughout Europe after being inadvertedly introduced in 2004.

Pollenize has developed an advanced device called Hornet AI which uses artificial intelligence and computer vision to detect the presence of Asian hornets without a bycatch to automatically inform the authorities, thus minimising the reliance on public sightings for their prevention.

In October 2023, in a commitment to protecting the islands’ native biodiversity, we installed devices on the islands of St Marys and St Martins together with awareness signage. See below some imagery of our public engagement visit

Drone Congregation: chasing the lure held aloft by Matthew Elmes

A Scilly Game of Drones

In July 2022 Pollenize, the Wildflower Collective, and BeeCraft Magazine came to the islands to work with Jilly Halliday, local beekeepers and students at the Five Islands Academy to find out if the drones (male honeybee) are seafarers.

FIVE ISLANDS ACADAMY

We’ve been extremely lucky to have been able to meet the children of the Five Islands Academy and deliver a presentation about the importance of pollinators and wildflower habitats!