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Friends of Hull's Wildlife The Hull Biodiversity Partnership facilitates the group.
A new Hull wildlife group got off to an encouraging start in March 2004. The Friends of Hull's Wildlife group was set up to help local people take a more active part in helping Hull's wildlife, whilst gaining healthy benefits for themselves.
The inaugural meeting
The first meeting discussed the various issues surrounding the diverse habitats and species found in the city and how the group will allow people to take action in their own gardens.
 Some of the members.
The network will allow individuals to meet on a regular basis to share ideas, knowledge and, most popularly, plants and seeds. The Hull Biodiversity Partnership is helping to facilitate the network, providing the meeting room, tea/coffee etc, as well as guidance. From the first meeting, it was clear that the most popular topics for discussion, then ultimately action, were wildlife gardening and species monitoring.
 Already, there are a number of very talented recorders, artists and species specialists within the group Already, there are a number of very talented recorders, artists and species specialists within the group, all keen to share their skills and knowledge. Many were just keen to know that 'they were doing it right' and wanted information on how to improve the great work that they are already doing. I was amazed and very pleasantly surprised by the wealth of talent and commitment that we have in the city. Many of the participants are already actively improving their area, whilst often unknowingly helping many of the Local Biodiversity Action Plan target species and habitats.
The Local Biodiversity Action Plan and Wildlife Gardens
Gardens make up around 3% of the total land area in England and Wales and are a particularly valuable resource in the city.
 Female blackbird in garden pyracantha.
The Hull Local Biodiversity Action Plan is purely based within the city boundary and has no nature reserves, therefore gardens are vitally important for wildlife and collectively, the main alternative to reservesgardens are vitally important for wildlife and collectively, the main alternative to reserves. They are also often the only way in which many city people have contact with nature. An area with several adjoining wildlife gardens offers a much greater opportunity for species to travel between gardens, often using them as feeding stations, whilst bringing increased enjoyment to the garden owners and neighbours.
Contrary to popular belief, wildlife gardens do not need to take up the whole garden, it can simply be a small section set aside for a few nectar rich flowerswildlife gardens do not need to take up the whole garden, it can simply be a small section set aside for a few nectar rich flowers, a tiny pond or even a bird table can make all the difference. Why not think about 'doing your bit'? It's very rewarding and there is lot of useful information freely available to get you started.
| First published March 2004. | |
Copyright Shona Turnbull 2004. Permission is hereby granted for anyone to use this article for non-commercial purposes which are of benefit to the natural environment as long the original author is credited. School pupils, students, teachers and educators are invited to use the article freely. Use for commercial purposes is prohibited unless permission is obtained from the copyright holder. |
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