Bee:wild hero video
Together, let's bring the buzz back.
Our future depends on pollinators. Theirs depends on us.
What is Bee:wild?
Bee:wild is a science-powered, not-for-profit movement driven by one mission: to bring the buzz back. A campaign of Re:wild - co-founded by top scientists and Leonardo DiCaprio - we unite science, entertainment, art, and action to protect pollinators and the ecosystems they support.
Together, we can fill our cities, gardens, and farms with life again.
20,000+
bee species exist, but only 12 are honey bees
1 in 4
wild bee species are threatened with extinction
13
wild bee species have already went extinct in the UK
100+ million
outdoor spaces with the potential to be pollinator-friendly havens exist worldwide
Just Released: Our Global Pollinator Report
Bee:wild’s latest report highlights 12 new threats to pollinators, from war-driven crop loss to light and air pollution—impacting not just bees, but ecosystems and human survival.
Read the full press release here, explore the full impact here, or browse the executive summary here.
Meet the tiny heroes behind your daily life.
Wild bees power our planet. They don’t just buzz around flowers - they are the backbone of our food systems, ecosystems, and economies.
But, pollination is a team effort.
From moonlit moths to hoverflies disguised as bees, a whole cast of heroes keeps nature in motion.
Think you know bees? Think again.
Bees come in every color - blue, red, metallic green. Some are tiny like grains of sand; others could fill your palm. And while there are over 20,000 bee species, only 12 are honey bees.
Wild bees are the unsung heroes of our ecosystems. They pollinate 75% of the crops that feed us - and they do it better than honey bees alone.
Pollinators give us more than honey — they give us life.
From the buzz of a squash bee helping grow your favorite summer produce, to the quiet work of carpenter and longhorn bees shaping everything from natural medicines to sustainable textiles and eco-friendly paper — pollinators are behind the scenes, keeping our world thriving. They’re the unsung heroes of food, fashion, forests, and the future.
When we protect pollinators, we protect ourselves. Their survival means resilient ecosystems, stable food supplies, and a healthier planet.
Take a closer look at just how much they do. 👇
75% of our food crops.
This includes everything from fruits to nuts.
80% of all flowering plants.
They help keep forests, fields, and gardens alive.
$235 billion global impact.
It fuels economies and secures food systems.
$150 billion in annual agriculture.
Pollinators turn blossoms into abundance worldwide.
cancer-fighting plants.
Periwinkle and echinacea depend on wild and carpenter bees.
the scent of lavender in perfumes.
Bumblebees and mining bees bring these fragrances to life.
62% boost in cotton yields.
Long-horned bees work quietly alongside us to make it happen.
fiber crops like hemp and kenaf.
They support sustainable paper and planet-friendly fashion.<
every bite of chocolate.
Midges — tiny flies — make cacao trees fruitful.
over 500 blooming plant species.
Bats pollinate them and keep biodiversity alive after dark.
agave for mezcal and tequila.
Bats like the lesser long-nosed pollinator make this possible.
And yet – they’re disappearing.
Habitat loss, pesticides, climate change, and disease are pushing pollinators into crisis.
We’re not just losing insects.
We’re losing the living systems that feed, shelter, and sustain us.
Wild bees don’t need perfection. They need people.
Whether you’ve got a balcony box or a backyard, your garden can become a haven for wild bees. In urban areas, private gardens provide 85% of nectar. That means gardeners are frontline defenders in the fight to save pollinators.
Plant for Pollinators
Wildflowers, native plants, or flowering herbs—even in a window box.
Build Bee Habitats
Install a bee hotel. Leave bare soil. Drill small holes in untreated wood.
Ditch harmful chemicals
Avoid pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides - including natural ones like Bacillus thurinigensis (Bt) and especially neonicotinoids - that can harm pollinators. Opt for organic methods, natural pest control, and pollinator-safe products instead.
Bee Wild! The film that’s creating a buzz
Bee Wild! is our new film premiering at
SXSW London in June 2025. It lifts the veil on wild bees – why they matter, what they’re up against, and how we can protect them.
Narrated by Ellie Goulding, directed by acclaimed eco-filmmakers Rebecca & Josh Tickell, and featuring Bee:wild’s science team, the film is both a call to action and a story of hope.
The experts behind the buzz
At the heart of our mission is a world-class Scientific Advisory Board, led by Professor Simon Potts, one of the world’s foremost pollination experts. This team ensures our work aligns with the latest ecological research and maximizes real-world impact.
Board Highlights
Dr. Deepa Senapathi, University of Reading – Pollinator conservation specialist
Rab Nawaz, WWF Pakistan – Biodiversity and sustainability leader
Scott Black, Xerces Society – Champion for invertebrate conservation
Dr. Tom Breeze, University of Reading – Pioneer in pollination economics
Advisors from WWF, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, and other key institutions
A Plan with Purpose
We don’t just dream big - we plan smart. Bee:wild uses a structured Theory of Change to guide all our efforts. It helps us stay focused, accountable, and driven by impact.
Our Approach
Identify impactful projects: Prioritize initiatives with clear scientific backing.
Define measurable outcomes: Track progress to understand what works and refine future efforts.
Guide efforts strategically: Ensure all resources are used effectively to achieve the mission.
From Local Efforts to Global Impact
Bee:wild is driven by a coalition of bold, visionary partners working together for a greener future. From pioneering brands to mission-led organizations, our partners bring fresh ideas, energy, and expertise to help turn science into action -and inspire lasting change.
From catwalks to kitchens, bees make it possible.
Wild bees do more than pollinate flowers. They sustain entire industries. The food we eat, the clothes we wear, even the fragrance we spray - none of it exists without pollinators.
We call this “Powered by Pollen” - a reminder that behind every almond milk latte and cotton T-shirt is a bee doing essential work.
Collaborating with Brands That Care
At Bee:wild, we’re building partnerships with brands across food, fashion, and beauty to support pollinator conservation. These companies depend on pollinators - so protecting them is more than sustainability, it’s smart business.
We’re creating custom activations with brand partners to:
Raise awareness among customers
Support pollinator-friendly supply chains
Fund conservation and science-based initiatives
Showcase traceable impact across campaigns
Let’s bring the buzz back—together.
Use your tools.
Use your space.
Use your voice.
Whether you're planting a flower, skipping pesticides, or funding a wild bee corridor—you are part of the solution.
Together, we’ll bring the buzz back—and build a thriving, pollinator-powered planet.
How do I donate?
You can donate to Bee:wild here.
How does my money make a difference?
Every dollar, pound or euro counts – and is sent to non-profit organizations around the world. From funding vital research to restoring habitats, your donations are helping to protect pollinators and biodiversity for generations.
Why are pollinators so important?
The transfer of pollen between plants results in fertilization, and is integral to the growth of crops, fruit, vegetables, seeds and nuts. Pollinators are the unsung heroes of our planet, and without them it would be impossible to sustain life on earth.
Why are bees and other pollinators dying?
There are a number of reasons why wild bees and pollinators are in decline. These range from habitat-loss due to intensive agriculture, exposure to toxic pesticides, and the rapid changing of seasons due to climate change.
How did Bee:wild start?
Bee:wild was initiated by PANGAIA as Bee The Change in 2020. Today Bee:wild is a science-led civic engagement campaign led by Re:wild, PANGAIA continues to be one of its core partners.
What is the Bee:wild fund and what will it support?
The Bee:wild fund seeks to raise $100M to increase pollinator-friendly habitats, reduce harmful pesticide use, increase diversified cropping systems for natural pest control and soil health and sponsor leading-edge bee and pollinator research to help them adapt to climate change and track their global health.
What will Bee:wild coalition do?
By joining together some of the world’s most influential and biggest brands who are “powered by pollen” we’ll raise awareness of the scale of the issues we’re facing on pollinator and biodiversity loss - and raise actions and funds to protect and restore them.
How does the Bee:wild Coalition and the Bee:wild Campaign add to other efforts already underway?
There are many public research entities, scientists, academics, NGOs and citizen groups that understand the critical role of pollinators and the peril of their decline. However, many of the advocates are small, localised, and sector specific, and have limited funds and reach. Bee:wild aims to work collaboratively with everyone in the nature and pollinator habitat space to strengthen the efforts and cross pollinate across organization and borders and work together as one swarm.
What is a ‘theory of change’?
A theory of change is a framework for planning, action, project management and evaluation, used by companies and non-profit organizations. Our Bee:wild theory of change starts with our long-term goals and vision – then we map out a plan backwards from there to identify preconditions and the actions required. Every goal, action and evaluation plan are signed off by our advisory board.
