Nature Positive
1 September 2025
Imperial Challenge Teams have developed an easy-to-use decision tree that helps find the right plants to encourage bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to thrive in their homes, balconies, and gardens.
Each year, Imperial brings together Challenge Teams – groups of students who collaborate on projects that address contemporary issues and translate complex research into real-world solutions. These projects often involve working with partners outside the university, helping students become not only great researchers but also strong communicators who can make science accessible to everyone.
This year, we were delighted to work with the Challenge Teams and the Knightsbridge Association on a project to help support pollinators in our city. The challenge teams developed an easy-to-use decision tree that helps residents choose the right plants to encourage bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to thrive in their homes, balconies, and gardens.
The decision tree has already gained recognition, being widely shared and taken up by both the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster City Council as a practical tool for greener, more nature-positive living.
It’s a brilliant example of how research, creativity, and collaboration can make a tangible difference in our communities and how small changes at home can support biodiversity across the city.
Find the decision tree here and start planting your own pollinator friendly plants!