Avon Wildlife Trust has launched a new project to support communities in BS1 and BS5 who want to create more space for people and nature on their doorsteps.

Nextdoor Nature is a national initiative which has been made possible by a £5 million investment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, to leave a lasting natural legacy in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

It will provide solutions to two of the most important issues which Avon Wildlife Trust is working to address: the urgent need to create more space for nature, with a goal to restore 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030, and the need to make nature a part of everyone’s daily life.

Tay Aziz, Community Organiser for the Nextdoor Nature initiative, said: “Imagine stepping out of your front door to birds singing, walking along streets full of wildflowers, or sharing locally grown food with your neighbours in a community garden.

“We know that having nature on our doorsteps is not only good for our physical and mental health, but also helps us better connect with each other.

“We’re asking community groups in Redcliffe and Easton to come forward with their ideas on ways to rewild their local area. Even if they want to get involved but aren’t sure how, we want people to get in touch so we can support you to create more space for nature.”

Nextdoor Nature will bring a wild touch to the places in Bristol that need it most, as part of a UK-wide initiative which aims to improve the lives of people from some of the most disadvantaged areas. The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world and research shows 85% of people in nature-deprived areas say more natural spaces would improve their quality of life. The majority also say that having access to local natural spaces is more important post-pandemic. Nextdoor Nature will enable people to make this happen and in doing so, take steps to tackle the nature and climate crisis whilst also addressing important health and wellbeing needs.

Examples of ways this could be done include

• Establishing wild habitats and green corridors in areas of economic and nature deprivation,
• Rewilding school grounds
• Naturalising unused areas.

Most importantly, through Nextdoor Nature, it will be local communities that decide on what happens and drive the change in their neighbourhood.

“The initiative will bring huge benefits for nature, too,” adds Tay. “One of the big problems facing our wildlife is fragmentation – wild places are isolated and disconnected, preventing plants and animals from moving freely across the landscape. By creating wild patches in more built-up areas, we can reconnect our nature networks, creating pit-stops for pollinators, buffets for birds and bats, and highways for hedgehogs.”

Avon Wildlife Trust is already working in partnership with Eastside Community Trust and St Mary Redcliffe church as part of this initiative but is keen to here from communities of all sizes in Easton and Redcliffe.

We’re looking to gather as many ideas as possible by 18 September, and there are a variety of ways for you to share them with us, from filling out an online application form to sending Tay a short video on Whatsapp.

Find out more about the project and get in touch