Some Nextdoor Nature action in the works includes a group of residents in Uplands who have mapped out the local spare green patches and picked out a verge that can be improved for wildlife. After a meeting with the council, the group have discussed plans for the verge including wildflower and tree planting. This month, we are hoping to do some door knocking and a community meeting to check that the residents surrounding the verge are happy with the plans, with the hope that planting will go ahead this spring!

To reach new audiences and chat to people about nature in Swansea, we have attended community events. The charity GROW Cymru, which focuses on supporting women’s economic empowerment, including gender equality and the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, run group knit and natter and craft events. At these we have discussed how people feel about nature in the town centre and what they’d like improved. We’ve discussed the idea of finding a spot for a planter filled with pollinator friendly flowers in the city centre and also plan to run some nature themed craft sessions in the coming months.

Meetings with Swansea Museum are also in the works to facilitate some planting of pollinator friendly flowers in the museum garden with the YMCA youth group. At Swansea University we have some events planned this spring to do wildflower planting with students whilst discussing their ideas for nature in Swansea, in the hopes that we can set up a project either locally or on university grounds.

If you’d like to get involved with Nextdoor Nature and start your own project, or would like help with an existing project, please email Lil, your community organising officer. e.witcombe@welshwildlife.org