Something is stirring in villages, towns and city districts in Britain. Residents are coming together and starting projects to protect and enhance wildlife in their local communities. Sometimes, like Bredfield, they go by the name of a ‘wildlife-friendly village’; sometimes by another name. Whatever the name, these communities are intent on making gardens, churchyards, verges, green spaces, woodlands and fields as wildlife-friendly as possible. With the compounding effects of climate change, environmental loss and pollution, nature needs all the helps it can get; and it’s finding that help in communities up-and-down the UK.
In May this year, Sophie Flux – from Risby: Wildlife Friendly Village – convened two Zoom meetings of wildlife-friendly community projects across the country. About half of the sixty-seven interested communities participated: from Aberdeen to Penanze; from East Anglia to Wales. Bredfield joined these meetings, and it was interesting and inspiring to hear what other communities are doing or plan to do. We heard about: protection of roadside verges; greening churchyards; tree planting; wildflower seed distribution; gardening advice; and much more. Of course, problems were raised, including: promoting community engagement under Covid restrictions; persuading councils and contractors to leave verges uncut; and dealing with entrenched attitudes adverse to wildlife-friendly practices. Despite these problems and setbacks, it is clear which way the tide is running. Wildlife-friendly communities are spreading and growing in capacity. This is happening because of the determined activities of community members, and the sharing of ideas that happens when communities come together.
The loose consortium of villages and towns, that Sophie has convened, goes under the umbrella title: ‘Wildlife Friendly Communities’. It is in its very early stages and we will report more on its development on this website.
Alongside this national partnership, a more local development is happening. East Suffolk Council’s Community Partnerships scheme is engaged in promoting ‘green communities’ in the local areas of Kesgrave, Rushmere St Andrew, Martlesham, Carlford, and Fynn Valley. Again, this is a forum for sharing ideas and good practices in environmental care; for connecting communities and connecting wildlife-friendly environments. Bredfield is an active participant in this project.
The vision of Bredfield Wildlife Friendly village includes a statement that “we will join with other villages and organisations to promote learning about wildlife preservation and help create a network of wildlife-friendly havens.” The ‘joining with others’ aspect of our vision is taking shape. Nature conservation requires the physical joining of wildlife-friendly environments, and is sustained by the social coming together of wildlife-friendly communities. We are not alone!
