Embrace the mess

Joe explains how local parks can be enhanced for wildlife...

From short lawns to tidy hedgerows, there’s a general preference for tidiness in our gardens and local greenspaces. However, for wildlife, we need a different story. Patches of scrub, piles of leaves and dead wood, which could be deemed as ‘mess’ by some, provide the needed cover and food for many mammals, amphibians, reptiles, insects and birds.

With good quality habitats for wildlife in decline, local greenspaces, such as parks, are becoming increasingly important. Luckily, there are some fantastic examples across Worcestershire where community spaces are cared for with nature in mind.

Bee banks at Droitwich Lido by Joe Gillard

One example that I want to celebrate is Lido Park in Droitwich, which is managed by Wychavon District Council. Amongst community amenities, such as the lido, tennis courts, bowls, cricket grounds, fishing lakes and play parks, they have created areas for nature to flourish.

Wetland areas have been developed away from the main track, providing habitat for amphibians and a water source for birds and mammals. These wetland areas also act as natural flood management, holding additional water during periods of wet weather. The park also has patches of brambles and scrub along path edges, which provide a great food source and cover for small mammals and birds. To support insects on site, they have made a few soil banks to be used by mining bees and other ground-nesting insects. By having more scrub, wetlands and soil banks in quieter sections of the park and having short grass and manicured flower beds around the well-used areas, Wychavon District Council have struck a great balance in managing the space for both wildlife and people.

Wetland area at Droitwich Lido by Joe Gillard

Next time you are out in your local park and spot some areas looking a bit wilder, just remember that these sections make great habitats for wildlife. We need to create corridors and stepping stones that wildlife can use to move through landscapes and, for this reason, urban areas are becoming an increasingly vital part of conservation.

Do you have a community space near you that could be improved for wildlife? Our Wilder Worcestershire team may be able to help! Thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we’re supporting communities along the rivers Salwarpe and Severn, from Droitwich to Kempsey. If you have a greenspace in mind or if your community group needs some advice, Julie, Connor and Lucy would love to hear from you.