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Lead nurse Joanne Waldron is buzzing about the move by Linnaeus-owned Donnachie & Townley Veterinary Centre (D&T), which has practices in Rugeley and Stafford.
Joanne is the one who’s really giving the project wings and has created a hive of activity to make it really fly, including giving away bee-friendly plants, adopting a beehive and donating money to bee welfare organisations.
She said: “For the last two years, I have grown bee-friendly plants which have been put in reception at both of our branches for clients to take away to plant and enjoy in their own gardens.
“This has also encouraged clients to donate plants to be given away as part of our bee-friendly project.
“Last year, our clients donated so generously to the cause that we had enough funds for both D&T branches to adopt a beehive from the British Bee Association on their behalf.
“This year, we have again had so many plants donated, that we have filled the containers in our porch and even donated plants to our neighbours at Shires Vets in Stafford.”
Following their successes, Joanne felt the practice could do more with the money donated this year so, after some research, they decided to donate the money to a firm called Hatherton Honey.
“They are a non-profit organisation that keep beehives across Staffordshire and South Cheshire and our donation will go to the setting up of a new colony of bees, focusing on the native British Black Bee,” Joanne added.
“We have now adopted this exciting new colony for the next two years and will be receiving updates on their progress and hopefully samples of the honey.
“We really feel it’s good to invest the donations in something that benefits an area local to our surgeries which also has a focus on maintaining and improving the environment for all of us.”
The bee-friendly initiative at D&T Veterinary Centre is part of its ongoing commitment to the environment, which has already seen the practice earn a bronze award from Investors in the Environment (iiE).
The practice is currently working towards its silver iiE award in a project spearheaded by veterinary nurse Diane Royle, who leads its dedicated green group.
For more information on D&T’s environmental policy, visit https://www.rugeley-vets.co.uk/about...sustainability and for updates on all of the practice’s green activities, search for it on social media.