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Nature at Work
Nature at Work
What is Nature at Work?
East Suffolk Council have partnered with environmental charity Groundwork East to develop and launch a new campaign called ‘Nature at Work’. The campaign aims to respond to the climate and nature emergency by supporting nature to thrive at hundreds of community sites across East Suffolk.
We want people to recognise and connect with the valuable work of nature.
The campaign will develop and promote the biodiversity of 116 existing council owned spaces, including improved and interactive signage. There is also a renewed focus to support schools, parish councils and community groups on the wider benefits nature-rich spaces can bring to local ecosystems.
Ten schools throughout East Suffolk will be supported by Groundwork to create native wildflower meadows and habitats for wildlife on their school grounds. These spaces can then be used for learning activities, encouraging future generations to be conscious of and inspired by the natural world.
Why we need to give nature space to work?
Nature at Work is recognising the value of local green spaces to revive biodiversity, supporting existing and developing a new network of small species rich meadow areas across East Suffolk.
Since the 1930s, the UK has lost over 97% of its wildflower meadows and species rich grasslands which now only account for 1% of land.
As you can imagine, this has had a devastating effect on native plants, insects, birds and small mammals that depend on this type of grassland for food and shelter, many of which also provide vital pollinating services.
Nature at Work’s goal is to not shy away from the reality of the situation, while inspiring communities to get involved in habitat regeneration, providing support and guidance on positive actions we can make for future.
By changing how we care for small pieces of land, we can make a big difference - it all adds up!
Nature gives back to us
Grassland has a rich and important history of supporting humans too through their ecological and medicinal services, and today they allow us to reconnect with nature and find solace in busy lives.
The value of spending time in nature close to where we live is increasingly well-understood.
Humans rely on pollinators.
Pollinators play a vital role within natural and human food systems. Without pollination, plants and crops would not be able to produce fruit, vegetables or grains.
For every 1 of 3 mouthfuls of food you eat, you have pollinators to thank!
Nature needs complexity
We understand that natural areas may appear a little messy and uncared for, however nature needs complexity and variety to thrive. It’s important that plants are given the space and time to flower and seed, and animals are given cover to shelter.
The Nature at Work sites have been carefully selected and are cut two times a year, in the spring and late autumn.
This reduced mowing approach mimics natural processes and ensures that a diversity of plants are able to provide food and shelter to insects through each stage of their lifecycle. It also means that plants can regenerate through the winter.
By allowing spaces to grow naturally, we are providing food and habitat to insects for each stage of their lifecycle.
The solution is variety in conditions and habitats. Mowed grass areas have their benefits both to us and nature. However, there is plenty of mowed grassland already. The Nature at Work sites are left to become species rich grassland, nurturing natural variety and opportunities for life.
There’s no need to worry about the weeds, they are wildflowers!
Many plants we traditionally perceive as weeds such as dandelions and nettles are in fact native wildflowers that have evolved alongside UK pollinators. They have had to become resilient, providing vital food where human activity creates ecological deserts.
Populations of ‘weeds’ provide special nesting sites for pollinators. The overlooked nettle for example hosts nesting spaces for native butterflies, providing food for their young (caterpillars) and nectar for nocturnal pollinators such as moths.
So, if you see them within Nature at Work spaces, celebrate their beauty, they are the hardworking champions of our ecosystems!
Supporting pollinators
A pollinator is an insect or animal that carries pollen from one flower to another. There are at least 1,500 pollinating insects at work in the UK, however, they are in decline due to increasing loss of habitat.
For many of us, bees are the first pollinator that come to mind. But did you know…
There are more than 250 species of native bee in the UK, only one of which is a honeybee.
As a farmed insect, honeybees are provided for and the more we introduce them into our environment for commercial actives, the more pressure there is on resources for our native bees to survive.
The UK’s native bee population is under threat, this mainly includes bumble bees and solitary bees.
Three bumblebee species are now extinct, and six species have declined by 80% in recent years.
Native bees and pollinators need a variety of plants and flowers to feed from. For example, butterflies with their long tongues (proboscis) need different shaped flowers to a big bumble bee or leaf beetle. This is where wild areas help, providing a variety of food and homes for native pollinators.
Who else is at work?
Wildflower meadows and wild spaces are well known for supporting pollinators. However, there are many other species they are supporting.
- Birds feed on invertebrates and seeds within the habitat and may source valuable materials for nest making.
- Small mammals such as mice, voles, bats and hedgehogs will be able to find shelter and foraging opportunities.
- Reptiles such as slow worms, and amphibians such as frogs and toads, will find shelter and food.
- Fungi (such as mushrooms) will benefit from a variety of plants and mulching material that feed both them and the soil.
Carbon capture
Another incredible service Nature at Work habitats provide is the capture and storage of carbon.
Carbon stored in rich grassland soil can be increased by up to 10% than in spaces mown frequently.
As plants live and grow, carbon is absorbed and transported into their roots. Invertebrates, fungi and microorganisms living in the soil then use the carbon and lock it away. The more diversity in the plant life and soil, the more effective the carbon storage!
How can you support Nature at Work?
Spend time with Nature at Work and share your finds!
We are not separate from nature, we are part of it. These spaces are also for us to enjoy and care for.
If you spot something in a Nature at Work area that you want to tell us about, you can share your updates and images online. This will also support the monitoring of the project.
Identify and learn about your local wildlife through citizen science apps and resources.
These listed apps are readily available and free to download on your smartphone. They can be used as a resource to identify species at work within our areas and provide important local data to bodies such as Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (bird studies). While learning more about your local species, you can submit data that contributes to important mapping and conservation projects!
For Families
Many charities and organisations such as the Wildlife Trusts, RSPB and Plant Life provide a range of activities and educational resources that are great for fun family and children-centered learning. Explore the resources below from wildlife ID sheets to garden birdwatches.
The Wildlife Trust Activities and identification sheets
Explore outdoors and campaigns with Plantlife
Explore birds and wildlife with the RSPB
Try a ‘No Mow’ season in your garden or community space
You can bring nature into your space by leaving areas of lawn or garden un-mown from late spring to autumn. You will be providing vital resources to wildlife, lowering your carbon footprint and saving on maintenance costs! To get started, why not get involved in Plantlife’s No Mow May campaign.
Start conversations
If you feel inspired by the Nature at Work campaign, please continue to share your knowledge and open up conversations with others within your community. Our commitment to supporting local nature is an ongoing and long-term process that will only grow though more support. Nature needs us all on board.
Get in touch
Please get in touch with us if you have any questions or would like to know more about Nature at Work.
Contact East Suffolk Council: customerservices@eastsuffolk.gov.uk.