Whilst we can’t recreate a rainforest here in south-east England, there are habitats which are just as full of biodiversity, albeit on a smaller scale! Our chalk streams, rivers, wetlands and ponds can be brimming with life if we let nature in. And wildflower meadows positively vibrate with buzzing pollinators if we can bear the mess of the taller floppy plants in summer, and the stark architectural beauty of the dried stems in winter. Scrub and hedgerows provide secret highways for birds, butterflies and tiny mice. So, whilst you may need to get down on your hands and knees, or dip into the water, we can still immerse ourselves in these richly intense micro-worlds.

One of other benefits to our work, is that the people we bring together, whether volunteers or professionals creates a sense of togetherness – the “club feel”, which often spills out into areas other than nature, and is so important for everyone’s wellbeing.

There is increasing awareness of the need to enable people from all sectors of society to be in touch with nature. Wild Oxfordshire does not currently have staff experienced in this type of outreach, but we are proactively seeking to partner with other organisations who do. Wild Oxfordshire, working with all types of individuals, groups, and organisations enables the nature to be there, so that all people can access it. Without the part we play, with the wonderful people we help, there would be no nature for seldom-heard voices to access.

Wild Oxfordshire developed the Bee Healthy project as a partnership with the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment and the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare. The project helped GP surgeries to create borders with nectar-rich herbaceous perennials. These are attractive to bumblebees and other pollinators and also benefit patients, staff and visitors. The project was supported by Smiths of Bletchington, Postcode Local Trust, a grant giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. In autumn 2019, Bee Healthy successfully created bee-friendly green spaces at Summertown Health Centre and St. Bartholomew’s Medical Centre in Oxford and Windrush Medical Practice in Witney, Oxfordshire. Each green space was created with around 15 different plant species. Early analysis of these green spaces has shown positive results in terms of attracting pollinators. Observations detected the presence of the seven most common species of bumblebees at these sites as well as other pollinators such as honeybees, butterflies, moths, solitary bees and beetles. The Bee Healthy gardens are an inspiring example of how small urban green spaces can contribute to expanding the availability of food for pollinators.

The Bee Healthy gardens have also been important for the wellbeing of humans. Specifically, these spaces have been very popular among NHS staff working during the Coronavirus pandemic:

“The bee garden is a source of great enjoyment every morning when we come into the surgery. Lots of people have commented on the flowers appearing. Especially in these strange times, it provides a nice distraction and a reminder of the natural world, oblivious to it all.”  – GP, Summertown Health Centre

We’ve also created the Bee Healthy Project Guide to share our experiences. It outlines our   experiences with establishing Bee Healthy at these three locations and provides practical information for community organisations such as NHS health centres, community centres, schools, places of worship and others that wish to create their own Bee Healthy plant borders.

Wild Oxfordshire also worked with Centre for Sustainable Healthcare to create a Green Health Walk in Marston, near Oxford. The Green Health Routes programme creates walking routes between health centres and areas of publicly accessible green space to encourage people to get outside and enjoy nature on their doorstep. The programme develops route maps and encourages GPs to prescribe the walks to their patients via ‘green prescriptions’.

An example of how biodiverse greenspaces can become community hubs, is the project created by NaturEscape in Florence Park, East Oxford. NaturEscape was conceived in the 2020 lockdown and birthed in 2021 and they work with communities, organisations, and business to create places where people connect with the natural world in places that are designed for many species, not just humans. Their first project was to re-imagine the old mini-golf course in Florence Park, as a nature-led space where local park users, families, and children relax and play with the objects, sights, and sounds that nature provides, whilst respecting habitats provided for birds and bugs, frogs and worms. It was built with funds from Oxford City Council, Flo’s The Place in the Park, The Trust for the Oxford Environment, and some private donors. But above all it was built by volunteers from the local community who engaged with project over 15 months to plant trees, hedges, lay species-rich turf, dig a pond, and create a pathway through the area. Now, as well as being amenity for all to enjoy when the park is open, it is regularly booked by community groups and Flo’s nursery as an outdoor classroom and forest school area. Other projects to connect people with nature are now in the pipeline, follow our blog for news on new NaturEscape areas with museums, sport and communities.  

So how can you help?

• You can create space for nature in your own land, garden, patio or windowsill.
• You can join your local community group (see our map) or start one up.
• You can join your local Town or Parish Council and encourage them to think of nature.
• You can ask your employer how they are helping nature and encourage them to act.
• You could volunteer at your local or children’s school.
• You could ask your local GP if they need information on green prescribing.