In February the Gardening Group met at a member's home in Kirkinner for a talk about bee-friendly gardening, and a "bring and share" lunch.  Anne and Gill, who started "Bee Positive DG8" in 2023, gave a talk about how to encourage pollinators by planting wildflowers in private gardens and public areas, following a 78% decline in the numbers of all pollinators, not only bees, over the past 20 years.  "Bee Positive" collaborate with the Council to allow verges to be more bee-friendly by cutting only half the verge, and they also got permission to plant wildflower seeds in part of the Kilsture forest area.  They hold various events, including open gardens, and encourage the public to plant flowers in their gardens which attract bees.