The scheme, which will span 135 miles of Kent coastline from Dartford to Deal, aims to protect and secure the future of some of the UK’s rarest bumblebees.

Making a Buzz for the Coast is an ambitious natural heritage project developed by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust in partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust, Natural England, the RSPB and Kent County Council.

Kent has more bumblebee species than anywhere else in the UK and this coastline is a hotspot for rare bumblebees, including the Shrill carder bee - one of the most threatened bumblebee species in the UK.

Making a Buzz for the Coast is fundamental to raising awareness about the importance of pollinators for Kent’s ecosystems, crops and local economy, as well as the special and rare species found along the Kent coast.

[quote=Stuart McLeod, Head of HLF South East]"This pivotal project is sure to create a buzz amongst Kent’s communities..."[/quote]

Now, thanks to National Lottery players, the project will see 400 hectares of bee-friendly habitat created, restored or improved helping protect and link isolated populations, while an enormous number of engagement, training and volunteering opportunities for the local community will be created.

Making a Buzz for the Coast, Conservation Manager, Sam Page, said “Our vision is to inspire the people of Kent to take action for bumblebees and other wild pollinators. The Kent coast is a hotspot for some of the UK’s rarest and most threatened bumblebee species – but insect pollinators are also crucial to Kent’s local economy and fruit industry. Through this exciting landscape-scale partnership project, we aim to safeguard Kent’s bumblebee populations into the future.”

Stuart McLeod, Head of HLF South East said: “We are delighted that, thanks to National Lottery players, this project can now get off the ground to secure the future of some of the UK’s rarest bee populations. This pivotal project is sure to create a buzz amongst Kent’s communities with all the exciting opportunities on offer to help protect the natural environment on their doorstep.”