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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
- Close
- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
Who we are
- Close
- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
Success stories
- Close
- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
- Close
- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
Shop
- Close
- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
Donate
- Close
- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

Home // Research grants // Our internship projects // Creating habitats for bees in an urban environment

Creating habitats for bees in an urban environment

PTES internship project bees urban environment

Can artificial nests provide effective habitats for ground nesting solitary bees in urban environments?

The problem

Over 98% of all bee species found in the UK are solitary bees, not the social bees we are more used to seeing. However, they aren’t well known. Therefore, the pollination services they provide are often overlooked. This means the bees and their needs are often not considered when building and development work take place.

The solution

PTES is supporting Aaron Bhambra who is going to test new, special nesting structures to create artificial homes for the bees. Working with the RSPB and the University of Wolverhampton, Aaron’s work will expand the number of nesting spots for pollinators in an urban nature reserve in Birmingham.

Sixty species of bees and wasps have been recorded on the 24 acre nature reserve since it was created. This is surprisingly high considering the levels of encroachment and urbanisation around the area. Threats, including genetic inbreeding within natal groups, flash flooding, erosion of established habitats, and a reduction in friable soil, may all be contributing to their decline.

PTES bees internship project sand planter

Aaron will work on finding and protecting areas of bare earth habitat for these bees, and other pollinating insects. He also hopes to recruit and train RSPB volunteers who will learn how to carry out ecological recording and taxonomic surveys. It is hoped that by recording the diversity of bees found in each nesting structure, we can compare the effectiveness of different shapes, materials and topographies for attracting fossorial (burrowing) insects. The results of this study will increase the public’s interaction with wildlife and inform future insect conservation management in urban environments.

This project was possible thanks to our generous donors. Can you help us continue?

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