Emily Perryman
How did it all begin?
Emily, our Nextdoor Nature officer, was invited by James, to the residents weekly community cafe. Over a cuppa and a piece of delicious cake, we listened to the residents ideas about how to create more space for nature in the communal areas around their homes and what was most important to them. All the ideas from the residents were gathered together on a map and shared with the residents as they shared the best areas for each of their ideas.
Emily Perryman
Shelia shared how residents living in the first floor flats had to carry water down their stairs to water their gardens. This was impractical and could be unsafe. She suggested installing water butts, which could collect the rainwater from the community building and be used by the residents. As a result of this chat, Exeter City Council had two water butts installed and these have been very popular ever since!
What sorts of things have been done to help wildlife?
Getting the water butts installed not only was a great benefit to the residents, but has also meant that more of the gardens could be watered using rainwater.
Last year, residents alongside Emily, James and Barbara got building a bug hotel. One of the neighbours got hold of the pallets to build the basic structure and old spare bricks were gathered from gardens. Some material was added in at the time of build, but the rest of the layers were built up by the residents who gathered materials whilst they were out on walks. A shallow water dish and plants were even added to the top.
Emily Perryman
Emily Perryman
In the Autumn, we were back with the residents, this time creating a wildflower bed and planting out spring bulbs. Working with the council to ensure that the area was left uncut and allowed to grow.
Robert, a resident of Grandisson Court has already taken action for nature. He has planted a stunning flower patch outside the community hall. With a keen eye for the local wildlife he shared his recent sights around the Court. ‘We have 2 vixens out the back with cubs. I saw a grassnake basking in the sun near the insect hotel. Wrens have increased this year and all varieties of tits are thriving here!’
What has been the impact of the actions taken?
helia shared with us the impacts that she had seen as a result of the actions the residents had taken with the support of Emily, James and Barbara.
‘We never used to have small birds, with the wildflowers there, there have been loads this year, they never had teh shelter before. We have bats, they have been coming earlier in the evening and they fly over the long grass, they must be catching insects’
Although Shelia couldn’t see the bug hotel from her home, one of her neighbours had shared with her that the hotel had many birds and squirrels visiting it!
The residents plan to add more seed to the wildflower patch next year and are looking forwards to the spring bulbs coming up again.
