Blaenau Gwent Council, along with partner organisations, is leading a new ‘Wildlife Where We Live’ project.
The aim of the project is to engage and work with residents from across Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen to discover the diversity of wildlife that may be living in gardens and green spaces around them. It will then be rolled out to other boroughs within Gwent over the next three years. The project hopes to positively impact on residents and local wildlife. Getting involved with biodiversity and nature contributes to our well-being and gives us a sense of place and cultural identity.
The project will focus on wildlife found in urban areas including hedgehogs, birds, pollinators and plants. The aim is to encourage community participation and learning to carry out positive actions. For example, advice can be given on wildlife friendly gardening techniques, gardens can be made hedgehog friendly by creating ‘hedgehog highways’ and communities can undertake citizen science projects such as the Big Butterfly Count.
Biodiversity in Wales is declining, since 1970 there is less wildlife and 30% found in fewer places. Hedgehogs are declining in Britain, and since the year 2000 a third of hedgehogs have been lost. Experts think that there are a number of different factors that are contributing to this dramatic decline such as habitat loss, and changes in land use, for example, gardens are becoming more concrete jungles with impenetrable boundaries. By participating in this project you can help the hedgehogs in your neighbourhood, and even become a hedgehog champion!
John Hillier, a local resident and community group member, says:
“Beaufort Hill Ponds & Woodlands Preservation Society are excited to be part of the project. If we are going to improve and protect the quality of the environment then it is important to get the whole community involved.”
The project is being funded by Welsh Government’s Enabling of Natural Resources and Well-being Grant through the ‘A Resilient Greater Gwent’ work programme. The programme runs until summer 2022 and is working towards a South East Wales where nature is in recovery and sustainable communities value their landscapes and wildlife and get involved for their own health and well-being.
To be involved with this exciting new project please contact Nadine Morgan, Biodiversity Officer: Nadine.morgan@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk or 01495 356070.