What is Nextdoor Nature?
Nextdoor Nature is bringing communities together to help nature flourish where they live and work! Thanks to £5 million funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Nextdoor Nature will provide people with the advice and support they need to help nature on their doorstep and leave a lasting natural legacy in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
In Northern Ireland, we are supporting communities in South and East Belfast who want to take care of and improve places that matter to them, in ways that are right for them. This could include whole streets ‘re-wilding’ their gardens, working with local groups to improve their community gardens, and running workshops so local people can learn how to encourage wildlife and help it thrive in their area.
The aim is for communities to be empowered to create small-scale nature recovery networks while at the same time gaining the well-being benefits of connecting with nature. Every one of us can make a difference to bring back nature and tackle climate change by taking small actions that add up to big changes.
Communities working together for people and for nature in South & East Belfast
There’s already so much to celebrate – here are just a few updates from incredible communities doing wonderful things for nature and for people in South & East Belfast.
The Larder
The Larder is a community food bank in East Belfast. During initial conversations, we discovered that they had raised beds and a polytunnel, which hadn’t been used for some time – excitement grew about the idea of bringing them back into use. Working in partnership with Grow NI and Belfast City Council, we have been supporting the local community to learn how to grow their own fruit and vegetables allowing them to experience the health benefits of being outside as well as giving them the opportunity to pick their own.
The growing schemes have given us a more meaningful connection to the food supply chain and a greater appreciation for the green space around us ~ Colleen
Glentoran Grow & Share
Glentoran FC 140 Club supports local communities in East Belfast. The club has taken forward a project called ‘Glentoran Grow & Share’ to make use of some raised beds beside their football grounds owned by Connswater Homes. With help from local children, we have weeded beds and refilled them with peat-free compost, and every Friday after school they learn how to plant and grow flowers and vegetables that they have chosen themselves. We have already planted peas, carrots, and potatoes, some of which they have grown from seed. Building on the success so far, the club has secured an £8k grant to develop the project further and involve more local people in growing their own.
Look at Morticia the worm! Look how cool she moves. There are so many cool things in the soil ~ Charlie
Alleyway Gardens - Wildlife Workshops
Residents in South Belfast were keen to learn how to attract nature to their existing alleyway gardens; whilst their planting provided colour and interest there was little food for pollinators or shelter for wildlife. This led to a request for ‘Gardening for Wildlife’ workshops. We teamed up with staff from Belfast City Council to make use of facilities at Botanic Gardens and, so far, six workshops have been delivered from growing plants for pollinators and building bird boxes to creating mini ponds.
I learned loads and made new friends. I am looking forward to watching my seeds bloom
Wingrove Gardens
A group of residents from Wingrove Gardens attended a ‘listening event’ organised by Ulster Wildlife in CS Lewis Square last year. They expressed a desire to make their street more wildlife-friendly. Hedgehogs had already been spotted, along with foxes and other urban wildlife. Their goal is to create a haven for nature in the heart of the city. In an attempt to get more of their neighbours involved, a further ‘listening event’ was held in the street to gather ideas and suggestions. Plans are now in place to apply for funding to turn the residents’ ideas into reality.
We would love to come together to improve our gardens for wildlife and increase the number of butterflies and bees ~ Jess
Want to get involved?
We are delighted to be supporting communities in South and East Belfast who want to help nature thrive, through NextDoor Nature.
If your community would like to make space for nature and people, get in touch with Maureen Carvill (NextDoor Nature Officer) by emailing maureen.carvill@ulsterwildlife.org or calling 07816 065978.
Can't wait to get started?
Nature’s recovery needs to start now! We’ve got plenty of ideas that everyone can get on with, right away. And for a beautiful, wildlife-friendly and happy street, why not share some ideas with your neighbours too?
