Gardeners get lessons in going wild
25 May 2012
Andy Hollis and Jason Nichols with students and graduates
Although each garden on its own may be small, together they form a patchwork linking urban green spaces with nature reserves and the wider countryside
”The Wildlife Trust
Andy Hollis discussing the gardens at the bowls club
A free introductory wildlife gardening course is being run by Groundwork Derby and Derbyshire, who are working with WildDerby, Derby West End Bowls Club and University of Derby.
Andy Hollis of Groundwork Derby and Derbyshire is delivering the course funded through the Marks & Spencer's Legacy programme. The programme aims to highlight the benefits our open spaces bring to local communities and the problems faced in managing these valuable areas.
The first session developed a management plan to encourage wildlife at the bowls club, looking at the existing garden and surrounding areas to find out how they could be improved. Those who attended included students and graduates of the University: they learned techniques to help encourage wildlife and improve the biological diversity of the club, gardens and other open spaces.
Wildlife Gardening and Open Space Improvements took place in May in conjunction with the Morning Chorus event, also a University and WildDerby partnership. This second session introduced planting guides and identified the costs involved of planting native species.
Andy said: "We can all play an active role in encouraging wildlife into our gardens and open spaces. This doesn't have to be expensive; in fact, if we alter the way we manage our gardens and open spaces we could actually save money by reducing maintenance costs. Give nature a chance, allow it to thrive and we will be enriched by the beauty of the natural world that surrounds us, we will also be helping to halt the loss of biodiversity".
Our gardens represent a vast living landscape and with an estimated 16 million gardens in the UK, the way they are managed can make a big difference to wildlife. Hedgehogs, sparrows, song thrushes and stag beetles are all declining species in the UK, but if we manage our gardens sympathetically for wildlife, these creatures and many more will feel the benefits. Gardens are increasingly important spaces for wildlife as habitats in the wider countryside as shrink; fragment and climate change takes its toll.
"Although each garden on its own may be small, together they form a patchwork linking urban green spaces with nature reserves and the wider countryside" The Wildlife Trust.
The course is for people who enjoy watching wildlife, are concerned at the loss of biodiversity and want to encourage local wildlife. It aims to highlight ways in which we can improve our gardens and open spaces for the benefit of wildlife and people.
Each session lasts approximately two and a half hours and all are welcome. So come along for free and help us develop a range of features which will enable you to improve the wildlife potential of your own garden.
To book a place or find out more contact, Andy Hollis, Community and Environment Project Officer, Groundwork Derby and Derbyshire, Tel: 01773 435232.
For more information about this Community News story, contact Jason Nichols, on 01332 591945 or email j.nichols@derby.ac.uk
