Rewilding in Rossendale: Civic Pride returns to nature. We’re replacing non-native plants, creating homes for wildlife and letting nature takeover.
What does that mean?
In addition to collecting every piece of litter we see and converting neglected corners of our towns into gorgeous gardens, Civic Pride are now focusing on the wilder side of life.
The Peaceful Plot at Rawtenstall Cemetery has been our first foray into restoring a wild area for native plants, insects and animals. By removing the invasive Himalayan Balsam and allowing the woodland to develop naturally, rewilding has started.
What is ‘rewilding’?
The Cambridge dictionary describes rewilding as the process of protecting an environment and returning it to its natural state.
It’s about letting nature take care of itself. Through rewilding, wildlife’s natural rhythms create wilder, more biodiverse habitats.
Why get involved?
Reconnecting our lives with nature is one reason but there are many other physical and mental health benefits which is great news for our volunteers and our local community. Most importantly, rewilding helps to reduce the effects of human activity upon wildlife. That maybe through pollution, the introduction of invasive plants like Himalyan Balsam, Rhododendron, urban development or new river dams.
Natural ecosystems increasingly need our support to flourish. They provide us with clean air and water, store carbon, lower the risk of flooding and help to balance climate change. In short, they are the basis of our natural wealth and wellbeing.
Applying the concept of rewilding
Habitat improvement, reintroduction of lost species and ongoing protection can be large scale (1,500 acres!) or small scale (your garden!) Every bird box, compost heap or hedgehog house counts. Some of us may be disappointed that wolves are nor being reintroduced to the Forest of Rossendale but every little change we make is helping!
Civic Pride has been gardening with natural processes in mind for years. In our community gardens are piles of wood to shelter and feed insects and animals. Bird boxes, bat boxes, compost heaps and an increasing amount of native plants and trees for pollinators are now common. Wildflower meadows have been established on grass verges and roundabouts. With your help we can do more.
What happens next
We’re regularly applying for rewilding grants. Volunteers are encouraged to get involved promoting new ideas. Gradually, small scale rewilding is being introduced to more areas of Rossendale. Our positive approach to biodiversity within the community gardens is being maintained. More bird and bat boxes are being installed whilst increasing the number of rooms at the insect hotels and hedgehog boarding houses and more wildflower seeds will be sown.
However, we’re always open to ideas and suggestions, so please contact us: [email protected]
Further information:-
https://www.rewildingbritain.org.uk
https://www.lancswt.org.uk