Why We’re Proud to Support the Bumble Bee Foundation

At Chia Charge, we believe that doing business responsibly means giving something back to the natural world that supports us all. That’s why we’re a member of 1% for the Planet, committing a portion of our sales to environmental causes – including the fantastic work of the Bumble Bee Foundation.

Here are just a few reasons we think they’re such a brilliant charity:

• They protect a vital species – Bumblebees are essential pollinators for wildflowers and many of the foods we eat, yet several UK species are in serious decline.

• They focus on practical conservation – From restoring habitats to influencing land management, their work delivers real, measurable impact.

• They educate and inspire – Their guides, research and community projects make it easy for everyone to take part, whether you have a garden, balcony, or just a window box.

• They think long-term – The Foundation works not only to protect today’s bumblebees, but to ensure future generations can thrive.

Supporting them through our 1% for the Planet membership is a simple way for us to contribute to healthier ecosystems – which ultimately means healthier food systems and a healthier planet for all of us.

How You Can Help Bumblebees During the Winter

Bumblebees might be deep in their hibernation sleep, but there are still lots of things we can do to help them through the colder months and set them up for success in spring. Here are some simple, positive actions you can take this winter.

🌷 Winter planting guide

Late autumn is a perfect time to plant for the year ahead.

Our top planting suggestions for this month include:

• Allium bulbs – a favourite nectar source for many bumblebee species

• Raspberry canes – great for pollinators and for your summer desserts

Planting them now means tasty treats for bumblebees (and yourself) , when queens emerge hungry from hibernation and need reliable food sources.

If you’d like step-by-step advice, the Bumble Bee Foundation offers a handy planting guide to help you get started.

🍂 Autumn and Winter garden maintenance guide

Getting outside and being active is a great way to stay fit and keep the winter blues at bay – and it’s just as beneficial for wildlife.

A few bee-friendly winter gardening tips include:

• Leaving some areas a little untidy (fallen leaves and plant stems make great shelter)

• Avoiding heavy digging where possible, as hibernating queens may be underground

• Holding off on pesticides and weedkillers

The Foundation’s autumn and winter garden maintenance guide is packed with easy ideas to help you make the most of the shorter days for both you and bumblebees.

🐝 Make space for bumblebee nests

Next spring’s bumblebee population depends on queens that survive the winter and find safe places to nest.

You can help by:

• Leaving patches of long grass or undisturbed corners in your garden

• Creating small cavities under sheds, compost heaps, or log piles

• Installing a purpose-made bumblebee nest box

The Bumble Bee Foundation has a short, practical guide that explains exactly how to create perfect nest spots for queens to discover when temperatures rise again.

Every Small Action Counts

Bumblebee conservation doesn’t require huge changes – just small, thoughtful actions multiplied by lots of people.

We’re proud to support the Bumble Bee Foundation financially through our 1% for the Planet membership, and we love how easy they make it for individuals to get involved too.

If you’d like to learn more about their work or access their seasonal guides, we’d strongly recommend visiting their website and seeing how you can help.

Together, we can make sure these vital pollinators are still buzzing for many years to come. 🐝🌼