Nature recovery on your doorstep

As spring bursts into life, we’re spending time in our parks and gardens, are listening to birdsong and are watching the butterflies and bumblebees around us. But they’re not returning in the numbers they once did.

More than 70% of our butterflies have disappeared over the last ten years and some bee species are near extinction. In fact, the rate of extinction for insects is eight times faster than that of mammals, birds and reptiles[1].

These figures are linked with the use of pesticides and increasing temperatures, but much of the loss is due to the loss of habitat; more than 97% of wildflower meadows across the UK have disappeared. And in the BCP area, we have a large number of local community parks which, due to funding cuts, are just barren green fields, devoid of wildlife and people.

As an environmental charity, we’re really concerned by this and are working hard to improve our most unloved parks across the BCP area – both for wildlife and for us to enjoy.

Nature Recovery Project Manager, Stephen Concar, said: “Our aim is to transform our local urban parks so that wildlife has a place to thrive.

“Together with help from local people, we have sown wildflowers, planted bulbs, trees, and hedges, and created ponds and community gardens. We also deliver inspiring free or low-cost activities so residents can get outdoors and connect with nature, which is great for wellbeing, and learn more about the amazing wildlife on their doorstep.

[1] Published in the journal Biological Conservation April 2019

Published March 2023

Did you know:

• A third of all food crops need insects to pollinate them. 87% of all our plants are pollinated by animals – and most of this is delivered by butterflies, bees and other insects.
• In the most deprived areas of BCP, more than 1 in 4 households do not have access to a private or shared garden, meaning that access to parks and green spaces is hugely important.
• Being in nature and parks is proven to support improved health and wellbeing. 70% of us say that parks had a positive impact on improving our physical and mental health during lockdown giving you the space and time to breath.
• Accessing parks and greenspaces for your health will save the NHS nearly £111m a year nationally from reduced visits.