East Suffolk Council
Helping town and parishes to support nature
Prepared by environmental charity Groundwork East on behalf of East Suffolk Council, a new toolkit is now available for town and parish councils to support conservation in their local area.
As part of the Council’s Nature at Work scheme, the toolkit contains branded graphics for town and parish councils to use online to promote their involvement with the conservation scheme, which has created 116 wild spaces across East Suffolk which are being left to grow over the summer.
New signs have been installed on council-owned land across the district to help identify the wild areas where grass cutting will be limited to twice per year for the benefit of pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The signs feature a QR code directing people to further information about the scheme, including how residents and community groups can get involved. A map of all the sites is available, and photos from the locations will be added throughout the year.
Groundwork East is currently working with town and parish councils to build awareness of the sites, and these councils are encouraged to help monitor the sites to better understand what species are present and how the sites are changing.
Cllr Sally Noble, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for the Environment said: “Nature at Work aims to respond to the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis by supporting nature at small-scale community sites across East Suffolk. The refreshed scheme has a new focus this year, working with local schools, town and parish councils and community groups to raise awareness of the benefits of the Nature at Work scheme and encouraging people to consider how they can get involved in their own garden or community space.”
Emily Ankers, project officer at Groundwork East said: “Small sites where nature can take the lead are vital stepping stones for wildlife in our landscape. It’s amazing how biodiverse these areas can be, they’re alive with all sorts of species including the grasses and wildflowers that are so important for pollinators.”
A guide to making a wildflower meadow, a species guide and information regarding funding opportunities for town and parish councils is also available.
Town and parish councils are also invited to a free webinar on Wednesday 20 August (9am – 11am) to introduce the toolkit and find out more about the Nature at Work scheme, including the benefits of green spaces, ideas for funding and how to monitor and record the wildlife in your town and parish. Book your free place now.
Groundwork East are also working with local schools to help them create their own Nature at Work sites in their school grounds. Ten East Suffolk schools will be supported by Groundwork East 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.
Thanks to support from the Simon Gibson Charitable Trust, the Groundwork East team will be working with an additional five schools to create their very own Nature at Work patch.