Sutton wildlife in line for helping hand

Nature-lovers living in flats to rent in Sutton may be interested to hear that wildlife in the borough is set to get a helping hand thanks to a new two-year programme.

In a bid to make back gardens in the area more wildlife-friendly, the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded the local council a £44,900 grant to teach residents how to maintain the flora and fauna outside their homes and in school grounds, allotments and churchyards.

Sutton's rich natural heritage can still be found in gardens across the borough and its unique habitat supports all sorts of animals including bats, owls and butterflies.

As part of a drive to increase awareness of this, the council's biodiversity team is to give local residents the skills they need to create and maintain wildlife gardens through a series of workshops.

The team will also help people get involved in species monitoring, which will provide a snapshot of the plants, animals and insects which already live in Sutton.

Councillor Colin Hall, executive member for environment and climate change, said: "Sutton has one of the most diverse ecological make-ups of any London borough, and the habitats found in the borough's back gardens are an important part of this.

"Anyone with a garden or open space can help to protect and encourage local wildlife. This lottery grant will be used to provide training, advice and support to anyone who wants to get involved and help to conserve Sutton's valuable natural heritage," he added.

The Sutton Ecology Centre is also set to work in partnership with Wallington Grammar School to create a new project encouraging wildlife in the school's grounds.

John Hutchinson, director of science at the school, said: "We've got a lot of plans for the school, from adapting waste ground into a habitat for wildlife to improving recycling and energy saving measures. I'm really pleased that so many of our students have chosen to get involved with the project, and we're also planning to involve other schools and members of the public."

Posted by Chris Price

Published 7th October, 2011

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