Orbit, has partnered with the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust to host biodiversity implementation days at three of its schemes in Warwickshire, which actively engaged with the local community.
The implementation days took place on 23rd, 24th and 25th February at Holly Walk in Stratford, St Marks Court in Rugby and Union Park in Leamington, following an earlier pilot implementation day on 2nd December at Cephas Court.
Working in partnership with the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, detailed habitat surveys were originally completed to help develop an improvement plan that will make the communities more biodiverse.
The implementation days align with The Wildlife Trusts’ 30by30 campaign which is calling for at least 30% of our land and sea to be protected to allow for nature’s recovery by 2030, making more space for wildlife to recover and thrive again. These natural areas will help people connect to nature in their daily lives and help to tackle climate change by storing carbon and reducing flood risks for local communities.
Residents then worked alongside colleagues from Orbit and the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust to make improvements to their outdoor spaces, creating a more wildlife-friendly environment for the community to enjoy, which will also help to enhance their wellbeing. This is part of Orbit’s environmental sustainability programme, Orbit Earth.
Jessica Marshall, Environmental Change Manager at Orbit, commented: “We believe there are small steps we can all take as individuals to welcome wildlife into our local communities and enhance biodiversity. By working with the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, we have improved green spaces at three of our schemes in the county, which will provide food and shelter for nature to thrive and hopefully encourage a number of native species such as birds, insects and small mammals into the local area.
“The project has been a great way for us to engage with residents and we hope that the regenerated outdoor space will provide a place for them to socialise and connect with nature, as well as giving their overall wellbeing a boost. As part of our Orbit Earth programme, we are committed to improving our outdoor spaces to support the health and wellbeing of our customers and surrounding communities, whilst promoting a sustainable approach to our operations.”
Olivia Williams, Dunsmore Living Landscape Community Engagement Officer at the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, added: “By creating and enhancing habitats with communities, we can help to transform the environment we live in, restoring, recreating and reconnecting wildlife-rich spaces for the benefit of nature and people. This project with Orbit has been a great opportunity to empower communities to take action for wildlife and use these spaces as a resource for learning and exploring the natural world, whilst fostering pride, belonging and involvement in the community. It has been a great pleasure to be a part of this project and we look forward to the benefits it will bring to both nature and the local community.”
To find out more about Orbit’s environmental approach please visit the page here.