Community makes further improvements to the wildlife garden in North Camp

Green fingers of all sizes were busy last Thursday as improvements were made to the Wildlife Garden in North Camp.

Children from St Marks CE Primary School, staff from Rushmoor Borough Council along with members of the Rushmoor Rotary Club and the Rushmoor Urban Wildlife Group spent the day planting a butterfly bank and the sensory zone at the public Wildlife Demonstration Garden in Queen's Road Recreation Ground, North Camp. On the same day, students from Merrist Wood College also planted a wildflower meadow.

The garden was created by the Rushmoor Urban Wildlife Group and Rushmoor Borough Council, after concerns were raised about the disappearance of wildlife in the area.

The three new areas were filled with native plants and should attract a wide variety of birds, butterflies and other wildlife to the garden. The garden already boasts an outdoor classroom, shrubbery, hedgerow and a cereal patch to provide food and shelter for the birds. A marsh area with a boardwalk and viewing platform will be added later this spring with funding provided by Rushmoor Borough Council.

The wildlife garden was designed with help from residents, schools and local enthusiasts who were keen to get involved. Where possible, environmentally friendly materials have been used. The classroom surfacing is made from recycled car tyres and the new boardwalk will be built from 'plastic wood' made from industrial plastic waste and used food containers.

The garden is also part of a much larger initiative by the Council to regenerate North Camp and improve Queen's Road Recreation Ground.

Les Murrell, Strategy Co-ordinator at Rushmoor Borough Council, said: "It is wonderful to see such huge community support for this project. The wildlife demonstration garden will show people how they can manage their garden for the benefit of local wildlife whilst increasing interest and enjoyment for themselves."

He added: "The Rushmoor Urban Wildlife Group and Rushmoor Borough Council are hoping that the garden will encourage people of all ages to appreciate wildlife. Also, if local residents use the ideas in their own gardens it should help to increase once common species, such as the House Sparrow. "

Anyone who would like a free guide to wildlife gardening or is interested in joining the Rushmoor Urban Wildlife Group and supporting its projects please contact Les Murrell at Rushmoor Borough Council on 01252 398538.

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