A Cotswolds house builder has invited residents to take part in a community project to discover ‘wildlife treasures’ on their doorstep
Cotswold Homes Ltd, whose Wildwood development of detached houses in Mangotsfield, South Gloucestershire is nearing completion, is sponsoring a £10,000 community project; Wildwood – Natural Neighbours which aims to provide opportunities for the community to explore, monitor and document its local ecology.
Project coordinator Penney Ellis has unveiled plans for a year-long season of wildlife adventures for explorers of all ages to find out about birds, bugs, bats, trees, hedgerows, grasses and the variety of life surrounding Wildwood.
A range of free Cotswolds events includes:
- the creation of nesting boxes to encourage more blue tits and robins to live nearby;
- a guided walk to hear the dawn chorus conducted by naturalist Ed Drewitt;
- a study of wild beetles, bugs and butterflies;
- a photographic safari led by wildlife photographer Ian Green.
Later in the year there will be barn owl spotting at twilight and a harvest celebration linked to the produce of allotments close to Wildwood as well as nature’s ‘wild harvest’ in the hedgerows. The season will end with the screening of a film about the year’s activities.
Says Terri Hayes-Pugh, who heads Cotswold Homes’s sales and marketing team: “As housebuilders we are more aware than many of the need to protect and conserve wildlife. This is an innovative and exciting project which will add a new dimension to the life of those living in our new homes at Wildwood as well as other members of the local community.”
All but three of the new homes at Wildwood in the Cotswolds have been sold, many of them to local young families as well as couples close to retirement.
Estate agent Andrews is selling the properties which start at £279,000 for a three/four-bedroom home. For more information call 07989 581236 or visit www.andrewsonline.co.uk
For more information on Wildwood – Natural Neighbours project, contact co-ordinator Penney Ellis through her website www.photo-sensitive.co.uk
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