Nature & communities thriving together
Over the last two years, we have partnered with communities across Bath and Bristol to turn urban parks into thriving habitats for wildlife and people.
Thanks to funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, West of England Combined Authority and Bath & North East Somerset Council, together we have had a striking impact on local biodiversity.
We’ve restored habitats, sparked curiosity and helped nature and communities thrive. The results speak for themselves...
🐝 A buzz of activity
New meadows and bare ground areas have welcomed a surprising range of mining bees, including ashy mining bee (Andrena cineraria), tawny mining bee (Andrena fulva), and the grey-patched mining bee (Andrena nitida), along with the nomad bee – a sign of healthy, complex ecosystems.
🦋 Butterflies are bouncing back
From ringlet and meadow brown to speckled wood and gatekeeper, butterfly numbers are up across several parks – helped by careful planting of native food plants like wildflowers and shrubs and changes to mowing regimes.
🌸 Orchids rediscovered
In Moorlands Park in Bath, fragrant orchids have reappeared for the first time in over 20 years, a hopeful sign that new management of species-rich grassland is working.
🕷️ A web of wildlife
We’ve recorded dark bush crickets, thick-legged flower beetles, common field grasshoppers, cinnabar moths, Lathbury’s nomad bee, and a host of other invertebrates – all vital players in the food chain.
🦇 Room for mammals and birds
With new log piles, bird houses, bat boxes and undisturbed grassy areas, we’re seeing more signs of hedgehogs, bats, and bird activity across our sites.
🌿 156,000 square metres of habitat restored
Including meadows, ponds, woodland edges and pollinator beds across 19 parks in Bristol & Bath, improving food and shelter for hundreds of species.
👣 5,270 hours
People of all ages have rolled up their sleeves to plant, sow, scythe and care – learning new skills and building confidence to support nature on their doorstep. This work would not have been possible without them.
More than nature
This work is more than conservation. It’s about reconnecting people with wildlife, bringing pride to local green spaces, and showing what’s possible when we invest in parks not just as places to visit, but as places where, by making space for nature, it can thrive.
