Our towns and villages have increased nature-rich spaces, so wildlife can travel between buildings, roads, parks, gardens and the wider countryside.
This priority is to make more nature-rich spaces in our towns and villages, to provide wildlife habitat between buildings and roads. This can be achieved through various actions such as changing how we manage gardens and recreation spaces like parks and golf courses or including more street trees and natural drainage.
Connecting urban nature areas with wilder natural habitats in the countryside not only supports wildlife but also enhances our interaction with nature. Increasing connection with nature can benefit people’s mental and physical health and help address inequalities.
Spending time enjoying natural spaces or being surrounded by natural features like green walls and ponds provides direct health benefits. Whilst increasing space for nature near our homes and communities can provide indirect health benefits such as protection from air or water pollution, shading from extreme heat, flood protection, climate adaptation, job creation and increased economic activity.
Connecting urban nature areas with wilder natural habitats in the countryside not only supports wildlife but also enhances our interaction with nature. Increasing connection with nature can benefit people’s mental and physical health and help address inequalities.
Spending time enjoying natural spaces or being surrounded by natural features like green walls and ponds provides direct health benefits. Whilst increasing space for nature near our homes and communities can provide indirect health benefits such as protection from air or water pollution, shading from extreme heat, flood protection, climate adaptation, job creation and increased economic activity.
Nature recovery in action
Wildlife garden at Kinson Recreation Ground: Kinson recreation ground is 3 hectares of urban park with short cut amenity grass and no trees or hedges on site. An underused corner of the site has been transformed from a green desert into a wildlife-rich site, now featuring a pond, meadow, fruit trees, hedges, along with sunny banks and rocky habitats. There is seating and an information board inviting people to pause, relax, and connect with nature.
This project, funded by the Green Recovery Challenge Fund in 2022 and delivered by The Parks Foundation who are a charity improving BCP’s parks, is part of the BCP Nature Recovery Network. It aims to enhance habitat and biodiversity, engage communities, and improve the appearance of 8 urban parks within some of BCP Council’s most densely populated and disadvantaged wards.
This project, funded by the Green Recovery Challenge Fund in 2022 and delivered by The Parks Foundation who are a charity improving BCP’s parks, is part of the BCP Nature Recovery Network. It aims to enhance habitat and biodiversity, engage communities, and improve the appearance of 8 urban parks within some of BCP Council’s most densely populated and disadvantaged wards.
The work at Kinson Recreation ground was supported by local volunteers and residents who got involved in the practical work and are now helping to look after the green space.
Other parks involved in this nature recovery initiative include:
- Branksome Recreation Ground
- Haskell’s Recreation Ground
- Jumpers Common
- Kinson Manor Playing Fields
- Muscliff Park
- Pelhams Park
- Slade’s Farm
Potential activities
See what activities people can carry out to help achieve this priority. These activities are a guide and are not exhaustive, as there are many small activities involved in habitat management and restoring ecosystems.The activities and Dorset’s nature recovery maps provide a starting point, but additional land management and ecological advice will often be needed to support activities on individual sites.