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It's time to review our progress as we move past the three month mark in our year-long development project. Our aim is to explore the potential in the idea of a Community Biodiversity Park with our communities, their representatives in Parish, Neighbourhood and District Councils and Environmental NGOs and we have achieved much in this short space of time. Our progress report (see below) highlights that we have: 1 Utilised a range of communication channels and strategies to introduce the idea of a community biodiversity park and share knowledge about nature with our communities – imagine a biodiversity park website, Youtube channel, nature Whatsapp group, parish magazines, printed leaflet, public meetings and other events. 2 Initiated a programme of educational / public engagement activities aimed at raising awareness of the issue of biodiversity loss and the contributions that residents can make to repairing this loss – 4 gardening for biodiversity talks in each part of the 4Bs area, and visits to a nature reserve and gardens to see examples of activities to support biodiversity and, 3 Created new opportunities for residents to be involved in their own small-scale biodiversity enhancement projects supported by 5 different ‘gardening for biodiversity encouragement kits’. The one area where we have yet to make significant progress is working with Parish Council representatives to identify a small project that will enable the Council to achieve its own goals for biodiversity. Looking ahead - during the next three months we are aiming to: 1 Develop further the concept, aims and definition of the entity we are calling a Community Biodiversity Park considering how it might relate to the LNRS and 30x30 biodiversity policies. 2 Continue implementing a programme of educational activities aimed at engaging and involving members of our communities. 3 Continue working with Parish Councils to identify small scale projects that align with their interests and concerns for biodiversity. 4 Develop an inventory of recent and current projects aimed at protecting or enhancing biodiversity. We are open to any suggestions or ideas you have on how we might develop and achieve our vision for a Community Biodiversity Park which we see as - a beautiful natural landscape inhabited by the communities and land owners of Buckland, Betchworth, Brockham and Box Hill, working together with Parish, Neighbourhood and District Councils and Environmental NGOs, to understand, conserve, improve and increase habitats for wildlife and encourage greater abundance and diversity of native plants and animals. Read our Progress Report 
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During this week we had the last of four talks on the theme of Gardening for Biodiversity - this one was for Buckland residents. While many of the 25 participants were already committed to helping nature in their own gardens, many of them felt inspired to do more and there was a good take-up of the offer of a gardening for biodiversity engagement pack. An bonus was the offer, by Paul, to give another guided tour of his garden where he has given life to many of his ideas.  Nestled on the slopes of the North Downs is a chalk grassland nature reserve as well as a small woodland, mostly made up of yew. It is a haven for flowers and fauna, managed by the Surrey Wildlife Trust and a group of volunteers headed up by Simon Humphreys. It’s not normally open to the public, so it was a privilege for a group of us to be led on a 2.5 hour guided walk by him. There is a vast number of flowers currently bursting into life providing a kaleidoscope of colour. However, with the current weather (I’m sitting writing this with torrential rain drumming on my window sitting in my thick jumper!), you wouldn’t blame the plants for being slightly confused, and wondering if they had popped up in the wrong season! Simon has an encyclopedic knowledge of anything “nature”, which made the walk educational, informative and fascinating in equal measure. It was also lovely to be able to meet fellow contributors of the Betchworth Nature What’s App group and put some names to faces as well as enjoying some pretty good views across to the South of Betchworth. So what were my takeaways from the walk 🤔
Cathy Honey Community Biodiversity Park Champion  We are fortunate to have people living within the 4B’s area who have used their garden to create a haven for wildlife. Over the last decade, Paul and Clare Ritchie have set out to create conditions for wildlife to flourish in their 850sq metre garden at the edge of Brockham. In doing so they provide a practical demonstration of what it means to garden for biodiversity. Over time, they have come to see themselves as guardians for nature rather than simply wildlife gardeners and they fully subscribe to the idea that ‘We Are The Ark’ and the totality of their efforts is an Act of Restorative Kindness.  Every year Paul and Clare, generously share their garden through an Open Garden Week. Thanks to Paul’s series of talks on Gardening for Biodiversity there was considerable interest in visiting their garden this year and during the course of the week there were close to 100 visitors, including many who had been to his talks. 12 people participated in our 2 hour evening tour to see and learn about many of the ideas he had presented in his talks. According to Paul, gardens like all ecosystems are four dimensional and dynamic places. Not only do they need space but they need time to establish natural processes and biological communities. Plants are the foundation of food webs for herbivores that include caterpillars grazing on plant leaves, butterflies and hoverflies sipping nectar, and bees gathering pollen. These are all preyed upon by carnivorous beetles, wasps, dragonflies, spiders, amphibians, reptiles, birds and small mammals. By allowing plants to naturally seed and grow in a garden we increase in a natural way the diversity of species. Many insect larvae are adapted to feed on specific native species of plant. Having a variety of self-seeding flowers, especially native species, will help insects to complete their life cycles and of course provide food for carnivorous insects, spiders, birds and mammals. According to Paul wildlife gardening is all about the principles of permaculture – cooperating with nature rather than fighting against it. We made space for wildlife rather than trying to control it! Providing habitats (homes) will attract wild plants and animals by providing food, water, shelter and space. A wild garden is enhanced by layered planting (vertical structure) of trees, shrubs, flowers, grasses and ground cover plants. Horizontal structure in height, depth and density of plants provides more places for insects and other animals to feed and find shelter. Paul and Clare's approach to gardening is founded on four essential needs of
wild animals and plants. Food – is more than just bird feeders. To attract insects, that will provide food for birds and other animals, it is important to provide some native flowers, shrubs and trees, bird feeders, nectar rich flowers, fruit tree(s) or berry bearing shrubs, perennials left uncut over winter, vegetable patch, beds or pots, herb garden or pots. Water – all life on Earth is composed of and reliant on water. Providing a constant supply of fresh water for wildlife is often the important thing missing from most gardens. We might consider creating a wildlife pond (no fish), bog garden or permanently wet area, bucket pond, bird bath, drought tolerant plants, water butts for rainwater. Shelter –is the next important thing for animals after having a drink and feeding. A place to avoid the heat of the day, cold spells, heavy rain or the interest of predators. Shelters might include - dead wood, log or stone pile, native trees , shrubs or hedges, climbing plants on wall or trellis, area of lawn left to grow long, small wild flower meadow, bird, mammal or insect boxes. Safety – is about protecting wildlife from harm and changing how we garden. For example, organic gardening in cooperation with nature rather than trying to control wild plants and animals, not using pesticides or slug pellets, not using chemical weed killers, not cutting hedges March – August, using peat-free compost, using a compost bin or wormery, using hand tools for gardening Its easy to make a list of ways to help nature – the hard part is to act on the ideas and change your mindset about what a garden is for. It may well involve coping with untidiness and letting go of aesthetically appealing closely cut lawns, cropped hedges and neat flower beds. But the benefits to other living things, and the ongoing legacy of future life is deeply rewarding and this is what is being shared through a visit to the Ritchie’s garden and the stories that Paul shared. Norman Jackson Building support for an idea is a continuous challenge and we are delighted that Marisa Heath, Surrey County Council, Cabinet Member for the Environment, sees value and opportunity in the idea of a Community Biodiversity Park. Marisa is a passionate advocate for nature and she kindly agreed to create a short video explaining why she thinks the Community Biodiversity Park is a good idea. |
BlogThis blog is maintained by the 4Bs Biodiversity Initiative Team. Its purpose is to provide brief updates of activities and interactions as the project unfolds. We also welcome posts from members of the 4Bs WhatsApp Nature Group and wider community. PagesArchives
March 2025
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