Buzzing about gardening competition
WE’RE absolutely buzzing to launch our first ever wildlife gardening competition, as part of a west of England-wide effort to create more spaces for nature and promote the power of pollinators.
With thanks to the Natural History Consortium and the Community Pollinator Fund from the West of England Combined Authority, led by Metro Mayor Dan Norris, the wildlife gardening competition opens for submissions today and will close at 11.59pm on Sunday, July 16.
We’ve set up this competition to celebrate the amazing green spaces across our region which are making a difference for wildlife. This could be a blossoming balcony, a small urban nature haven, a sprawling back garden, community patches, naturefriendly allotments, school outdoor spaces and everything in between.
The competition will be split into four categories: Individual, Community, Education and Food Growing. Entries are submitted using a form on our website, where applicants will be asked questions about their garden and can upload a supporting photo or video to show off their space.
Everyone who enters the competition will receive a poster they can display to show they’re taking part and get their neighbours involved.
Three finalists from each category will be chosen by a panel of judges, and all 12 finalists will be visited by a Team Wilder ecologist, to talk about their wildlife garden and offer expert advice. A photographer will also attend to take the photos which will then be used for the final public vote. Winners of the public vote will then be announced in the early autumn.
The winners in each category will go on to receive:
» A wildlife camera, to capture the visitors to their garden
» £75 voucher to spend at Grow Wilder
» Prints of the photographs taken of their green space
» A wildlife gardening book from the author, journalist and TV presenter Kate Bradbury
» Ecological advice Julie Doherty, head of communities and engagement at Avon Wildlife Trust, said: “Wildlife gardening is such a brilliant and accessible way to create more space for nature, so we want to celebrate those neighbourhood spots that wildlife love to visit!
“It doesn’t matter what form your garden takes, it’s all about how you use it to attract pollinators and other wildlife. That could be as simple as letting your lawn grow wild so that more insects can call it home, thereby attracting more birds!
“We’d also love to see the inventive ways people have provided water and shelter for wildlife, using nature-friendly techniques and creative uses of space.
“This is all part of our work through the Natural History Consortium and the West of England Combined Authority to promote nature-friendly gardening techniques and show the difference it can make to people and wildlife alike.”
We can’t wait to see all the inspiring ways you’re creating space for wildlife! Did you know that the total area of gardens is greater than the total of nature reserves? By making changes to our gardens, patios and window boxes, we’re able to make a huge difference.