Why it's important to create space for nature in our towns
Cornwall’s Environmental Growth Strategy calls for creating the space and conditions for more abundant, productive and healthier habitats, species and natural systems. Which in turn, improve the lives of people.
For a host of different reasons wildlife is gradually being lost from towns. We need to provide homes for our bugs, birds and other wild creatures, just as we do for people.
Creating new wildflower patches will contribute to the national effort to turnaround the loss of British meadows. Providing pollen, nectar and shelter for our butterflies and bees.
New hedges and woodland will provide homes for hedgehogs and may help to reverse the national decline in hedgehog numbers across the UK.
Making a difference
Making Space for Nature will be good for people and wildlife in lots of different ways by:
- creating attractive spaces in towns
- planting flowers, trees and shrubs
- improving spaces for birds, insects and wildlife
- enhancing space for people to relax and exercise
- providing volunteering opportunities
- educating people and encouraging them to join in to help nature
An area about the size of 28 rugby pitches will be wildlife and people friendly.
European Regional Development Fund
Green Infrastructure for Growth 2 is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) with Cornwall Council and University of Exeter providing match funding.
We are working with University of Exeter to assess the impact of improving urban green spaces that make up the Making Space for Nature project.
Full details are outlined in our leaflet;
Making space for nature in Cornish towns
What we are doing in Cornish towns
24 spaces across Cornwall have been improved for wildlife and people. The project has improved a selection of
- recreation grounds
- parks
- woodlands
- verges
- closed churchyards
to create havens for bees, butterflies, birds and hedgehogs introducing
- wildflower meadow patches
- ponds
- hedges
- trees
- pollinator shrubs and perennials
- bulbs
- orchards
Wildlife is not the only focus of the project. The project has improve access and understanding through signage, seating, paths and ‘natural play’ opportunities.
For details of which towns and spaces we are working in, please see below.
Work started in September 2020. The rolling programme will complete by December 2022.
For up to date information on individual sites and details of how you can get involved please check our Let's Talk pages.
Guidance and case studies
Making Space for Nature has been introducing wildflower meadows and orchards in a number of spaces across Cornwall. We thought it might be useful for you to learn from what we've been doing;
- Wildflower meadow creation guidance
- Starting a community orchard
- Case Study - Treveglos Meadows, Hayle
- Case Study - Warfelton Field, Saltash
- Case Study - Knights Way, Redruth
- Case Study - St. Mary's Churchyard, Penzance
Towns and spaces
Find out what has been done to make space for nature in a number of Cornish towns.