FAMILIES are invited to help transform urban green space into a haven for wildlife.
Thornton Lodge Action group has secured £8,000 funding from the Big Lottery’s community wildlife fund.
Now they are looking for young people to help out and get involved in a range of activities going on in and around Thornton Lodge over the next six months.
Jean Margetts, one of the project organisers, said: “The project is going to run for six months and our aim is to raise awareness of the value of green spaces and park areas.
“We want to improve them as an area for wildlife and we’ll be planting wild flowers, herbs and bushes.”
Among the areas which will be transformed are Rashcliffe Park and the play park on Thornton Lodge Road.
Thornton Lodge Action group has teamed up with outdoor children’s activity group Birch Forest Schools.
Lisa Mew from Birch Forest Schools said: “We will be doing litter picking and creating bird and bat boxes and bug hotels to attract bugs.
“You can just make them from leaves and bamboo and you can also hang them from trees.
“We want to attract a broad range of insects, birds and butterflies. It’s really important – especially in urban places like this.
“It’s not just here, but everywhere people are collectively trying to do things to create green corridors and trying to make small urban places better for wildlife.”
The next urban wildlife project family day is on Thursday, April 28, between 10am and 1pm at Rashcliffe Recreation Ground on Yews Hill Road.
Activities will include a wildlife treasure hunt and seed planting.
Lunch and drinks will be provided and there will be a chance for children to sign up to take part in the rest of the project.
Call Thornton Lodge Action Group on 07970 117929 for more information.
