Bus stops become garden hotspots for nature
Are we selfish with space? New bus shelters around the world have been attracting bees and butterflies. Now, the UK is ready to join the movement.
Think of the perfect morning. It might involve a beach or a theme park, but probably not a wait at a bus stop. But this could soon change.
Across Europe, humble bus shelter roofs are being turned into vibrant, miniature gardens for bees and butterflies. Bees help plants to grow by moving pollen between plants.
The first bee stop appeared in Utrecht. Today, the city has 300 of them. Now there are plans to build more than 1000 of these nature shelters during the next year across
the UK and even in other parts of the world.
“We want to do it in as many cities in the UK as possible,” said Louise Stubbings, creative director at Clear Channel UK. “We’d like to do them everywhere, the positive effects are incredible,” added Stubbings.
Utrecht has created a “no roofs unused” policy, so that every roof must be planted. As a result, bee populations have stabilised throughout the Netherlands.
Build the Change Challenge
In order to protect wildlife, we must be able to live alongside it. In this challenge, you will design a rooftop space above your classroom for nature to flourish.
Step 1: Come up with the design. Take inspiration from the buzzing bus stops. What
birds and insects will your space attract? What plants will be used? How can you make it
a nature paradise?
Step 2: Create your design! You can draw a picture of it or, if you have time, use craft
materials and LEGO® bricks to make a real version of your rooftop retreat.
See what other builders made
