The tradition of planting wildflowers in support of pollinators and biodiversity continued on the 25 May. This year the flowers were planted at the roundabout at the end of Valhallavägen in the Östermalm district, which is the largest area so far that the joint project has planted with approx. 450 sq m of grass that will turn into a meadow where pollinators can find both forage and rest. The activity took place for the fourth year in a row and connecting the area to already planted meadows in Gärdet and Diplomatstaden.
The annual event has a strong support from the city of Stockholm and the Vice-majors for Environment & Climate and Culture & Urban Environment have expressed positive views on the joint effort:
“Planting more meadows that creates habitats and forage for our pollinators is an important measure to promote biodiversity in the city, as we need both large and small efforts to help nature along. This project is also a good way to show that we work across national borders with this issue, as biodiversity is under global threat”, says Katarina Luhr (MP) Vice Mayor for Environment and Climate
“Pollinators are a very important part of biodiversity, and this project reminds us all to continue working for a pollinator friendly city. We can all do something to support the pollinators and I hope that this project inspires more Stockholmers to take part in the initiative”, says Jonas Naddebo (C) Vice Mayor for Culture and Urban Environment
Under the umbrella of the ADS, several embassies have come together to support the initiative and to help spread awareness but also to share their knowledge:
“Pollinators are important for our biodiversity but sensitive to climate change. By planting these seeds today, we are helping to contribute to places where bees can thrive in and a more resilient nature. No country can solve climate change and the loss of biodiversity on its own. Cooperation must take place on many different levels.
This autumn, the UK will work for more ambitious climate work on a global level with all the countries of the world at our COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. Today, together with representatives from Sweden, France, Spain and Germany, we have collaborated on a local level in our beautiful host city Stockholm”, says H.E. Ms. Judith Gough, Ambassador of the United Kingdom.
“While the world is busy fighting a pandemic and climate change, it is important not to forget about the third massive global crisis, the loss of biodiversity. On a global and national level, politicians have taken actions. Germany for example has, together with international partners, initiated the Legacy Landscapes Fund (LLF), an independent foundation aiming to conserve biological diversity around the world. Germany has committed 82.5 million euros in 2020 for the protection of a total area of more than 60 000 km². But also locally action needs to be taken for the protection of biodiversity.
Therefore, we very much welcome this initiative by “Stockholm Loves Pollinators” to create an island of wild flowers in central Stockholm in the immediate vicinity of The German Embassy. We are helping both insects and humans to thrive in an urban space”, says H.E. Dr. Anna Prinz, Ambassador of Germany.
“As we are slowly exiting the pandemic, we need to refocus on other pressing priorities, in particular the preservation of biodiversity. It will be done through major international events, such as the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Marseille, from 3 to 11 September 2021. But it also goes through very concrete actions, at the grassroots level! Today’s event does make a change, however small it may be. I am happy that the French Embassy took part and could help spread the message … and the seeds”, says H.E. Mr. Etienne de Gonneville, Ambassador of France.
Photographer: Eriksbergs Foto
Background
The grassroot initiative Stockholm Loves Pollinators started in 2017 by Sharon Cairns, Spouse of the British Ambassador, with support of the English Church in Stockholm and the sustainability consultancy U&We. Together they had the vision of creating a pollinator conservation zone within the Royal National City Park and as well to educate the public of the importance of pollinators.
To this background, they received support from the city of Stockholm to create meadows by planting wildflowers on different locations in Diplomatstaden and Gärdet to ultimately create a pollinator friendly corridor.
Over the years more supporters have joined this cause and under the umbrella of the ADS, the German and French Embassy have joined in addition to the British.