This is part of our Meet the Organization series–a collection of deep dives into the initiatives receiving larger, dedicated support from Klarna’s 1% pledge, and what they hope to achieve with it. Follow this organization’s impact and progress by following us on Instagram. 

Initiative: Buglife 

Main focus: Protect wildlife

UN Sustainable Development Goals: 13- Climate Action, 15 - Life on Land

Area of operation: United Kingdom

WHY WE GIVE ONE Bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects are essential. They pollinate our crops, contributing around £620 million annually to the UK economy. However, biodiversity is in crisis. Pollinator ecosystems are fragile – they are becoming damaged, depleted, and are ceasing to function. 60% of UK wildlife species have declined in recent decades, with insects suffering the greatest declines. The main cause of pollinator decline is the large-scale loss, degradation, and fragmentation of habitat. Buglife has a plan for how to combat the loss of pollinators across the UK - through the creation of so called B-lines, wide strips of permanent wildflower-rich habitat. They link newly restored wildflower areas with existing sites, acting as a network of ”insect superhighways” – habitat stepping-stones that weave across the countryside. While B-lines are designed to help pollinators, they will help a huge range of other wildlife too. 

HOW WE GIVE ONE Buglife has mapped out ideal sites for these B-lines across the UK and will work to make them a reality together with farmers, local authorities, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, utility companies, transport networks, businesses, landowners, land managers, society and individuals. Give One will provide top-up funding for the roll out of B-lines projects across the UK. This funding will enable Buglife to train and support landowners and managers in restoring pollinator-friendly habitats. 

MEET AN IMPACTER Paul Hetherington is the director of fundraising and communications for Buglife and is behind many successful campaigns to save bees and pollinators. One of them is the B-Line network, so pollinators can move between areas, increasing their chance of survival. “I work for the only organization in Europe devoted to the conservation of all invertebrates,” Paul says. “We’re actively working to save Britain’s rarest little animals, everything from bees to beetles, worms to woodlice and jumping spiders to jellyfish.”

Interested in learning more and contributing to Buglife and other organizations that protect wildlife? You can donate through our strategic sustainability partner Milkywire, and follow Buglife’s progress.