Space for Nature

In the UK nearly 1 in 6 species are threatened with extinction and one of the main reasons is habitat loss.[1] In Victoria Park, with the help of our volunteers, we have been creating new habitats to help reverse this loss. 

Whilst an area may look messy, it’s a carefully managed, valuable habitat for wildlife which we’re hoping will promote further biodiversity, encouraging more birds, amphibians, invertebrates, fungi and mammals into our park. 

You may have seen the new addition of scrapes, (which are temporary, seasonal ponds) around the park. These ponds provide a haven for amphibians, away from predating fish, allowing them safer areas for breeding. The surrounding mounds provide basking spots and egg-laying sites for reptiles. We’ve situated these scrapes in areas where they would be particularly beneficial, providing interconnectivity with other habitats around our park. 

We’re also encouraging wildflower growth in different areas around our park. In the UK, around 97% of our wildflower meadows have been lost since World War 2, making them a rare and precious habitat. Meadows are micro-cities for insects which are an integral part of the food chain, so by encouraging the growth of wild-flowers and grasses, we’re hoping to see an increase in the biodiversity of the park. Bees, butterflies, moths and beetles flourish in meadows, which in turn benefits the birds, bats and reptiles who hunt there. Small nesting mammals also use the grass to nest and forage in, therefore it’s a habitat which benefits a wide array of species.

Urgent action can reverse some of the biodiversity loss we have been experiencing in the UK and we can all play a part in making a positive difference, no matter how small.

For information on how to get involved in our valuable biodiversity work within Victoria Park, follow the link below to become a volunteer and make a difference today.

[1] State of Nature Report 2023