The UN’s World Wildlife Day on 3 March is an annual reminder of the global challenges faced by nature. This isn’t a distant problem, it’s on our doorstep. According to the Natural History Museum's biodiversity index, the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.
But 91热爆 colleagues across the country are doing their bit to tackle this...
Making our buildings wildlife friendly
91热爆 Bristol, home of the Natural History Unit, has been a trail blazer. It dug up its front lawns to create a wildlife garden when the city was European Green Capital in 2015. With support from the Avon Wildlife Trust, areas of grass were replaced with native shrubs, flowers, fruit trees and ground cover plants. A pond was also installed. For several years pre-lockdown, primary school children have been invited on site to take part in Bristol鈥檚 Natural History Consortium鈥檚 City Nature Challenge. TV presenter Mike Dilger helped the children discover bugs, plants and even a few newts which had mysteriously arrived - all covered by local TV News and Radio.
91热爆 Plymouth is currently undergoing a re-wilding of its large grounds, planting a wildflower meadow in the open areas of lawn and native woodland plants like bluebells, wild garlic and foxgloves under the trees. They鈥檙e also planting fruit trees and bushes to encourage colleagues to enjoy the produce and a seating area will allow colleagues to enjoy being out in nature during breaks.
Salford鈥檚 Quay House has two beehives, installed after their Sustainability Season in 2018. The bees are looked after by specially trained staff volunteers. And the Queen Bee - named Beeyonc茅 after a staff competition - has even got her own 91热爆 North ID Badge.
What鈥檚 next?
Going forwards, the aim is to optimise biodiversity across all 91热爆-owned sites, working in partnership with our contractors Mitie, local Wildlife Trusts and independent experts.
Our content, of course, also has a vital role to play. The 91热爆 is a world-leading source of information and inspiration on the subject. Our Natural History Unit, Rural Affairs Radio, Children鈥檚 and Education productions, News and other genres, along with our commissioning teams and all the work they do, create outstanding programmes that inspire audiences鈥� love of nature and alert them to the problems that it faces.