Book #51 A Buzz in the Meadow

A Buzz in the Meadow by Dave Goulson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Buzz in the Meadow is a captivating look at our natural world through the eyes of Dave Goulson, who I know better as the founder of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, that august body, of which I am a member. In 2003 DG bought a derelict farm in the heart of rural France, together with 33 acres of surrounding meadow. Over the course of a decade he created a place for his beloved bumblebees to thrive along with myriad insects of every kind. A significant part of the book contains his own research, alongside that of other scientists, into the threat posed by the use of neonicotinoids as pesticides and their devastating affect on bee populations around the world, something that the giant, multi-national manufacturer of agrochemicals, Bayer, widely disputes. Only to be expected as they resolutely defend a US$4 billion market. Well, neonicotinoid pesticides do cause harm to bees and I urge everyone to read this book. It is inspiring and should encourage everyone to cherish what we have. It illustrates what wonders we stand to lose if we do not change our ways. Biodiversity matters, in all shapes and forms and DG's farm, Chez Nauche, is an island where nature can thrive; places like this though are too few and far between. A Buzz in the Meadow provides a real insight to our natural world and a call to arms for nature-lovers everywhere.

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