News / Nature
Creating space for nature in urban neighbourhoods of Bristol
Avon Wildlife Trust has launched a new nature project to create more space for wildlife in Easton and Redcliffe.
Nextdoor Nature is a national initiative that aims to tackle the climate crisis whilst helping to improve lives in some of the UK’s more disadvantaged areas.
Community groups in the two areas of Bristol taking part in the project are asked to come forward with ideas on how they could rewild areas in their neighbourhoods and make them havens for both wildlife and people.
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The project will help Avon Wildlife Trust to meet its aim of restoring 30 per cent of the land and sea by 2030 and to make nature a daily part of people’s lives.
Tay Aziz, the community organiser for Nextdoor Nature, said: “Imagine stepping out of your front door to birds singing, walking along streets full of wildflowers, or sharing locally grown food with your neighbours in a community garden.
“We’re asking community groups in Redcliffe and Easton to come forward with their ideas on ways to rewild their local area. Even if they want to get involved but aren’t sure how, we want people to get in touch so we can support you to create more space for nature.”
Examples of how the areas could be changed include: rewilding school grounds, establishing wild habitats or naturalising unused areas.
Tay added: “The initiative will bring huge benefits for nature, too. One of the big problems facing our wildlife is fragmentation – wild places are isolated and disconnected, preventing plants and animals from moving freely across the landscape.
“By creating wild patches in more built-up areas, we can reconnect our nature networks, creating pit-stops for pollinators, buffets for birds and bats and highways for hedgehogs.”
“One of the big problems facing our wildlife is fragmentation,” says Tay Aziz – photo: Tom Marshall/ Avon Wildlife Trust
Avon Wildlife Trust is already working in partnership with Eastside Community Trust and St Mary Redcliffe as part of this initiative but is keen to here from communities of all sizes in Easton and Redcliffe.
People can submit ideas on how to bring communities together through growing nature by either completing the application form via: www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/nextdoor-nature-form or sending Tay a short video via Whatsapp on 07421 226064 by September 18.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has given Nextdoor Nature a £5m investment for the project.
Avon Wildlife Trust cares for 30 nature reserves, making it one of the largest charities working to protect wildlife in the West.
Main photo: Ellie Pipe
Read more: Avon wildlife Trust backs campaign to save South Bristol green space
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