Rose Hill Court garden nominated for national biodiversity award
Residents at Rose Hill Court seniors housing scheme in Brighton transformed their communal garden during the pandemic by planting wildflowers, meadow plants and trees.
These efforts have been recognised as the wildlife garden has been shortlisted in two categories of the BIG Biodiversity Challenge awards – Community Engagement and Habitat Creation Project of the Year.
In addition to planting, residents added bird baths and installed bird boxes, hedgehog shelters, rainwater butts, compost bins, vegetable plots and stopped mowing the grass. This has led to a significant increase in wildlife such as bees, butterflies, craneflies, crickets and a wide variety of birds.
The BIG Biodiversity Challenge awards are run by the Construction Industry Research and Information Association and winners will be announced on 14 September. For more information visit www.bigchallenge.info.
Inspiring creativity
The garden helped to support residents’ wellbeing during lockdown and has since inspired art and photography projects by the scheme’s art group, the Rose Hill Rebels.
In May, the Rose Hill Rebels took part in the annual Artists Open Houses festival and welcomed visitors to see their work at the scheme in Rose Hill Terrace. Two residents were also named as runners up in the photography category of the Artists Open Houses Awards.
Protecting local biodiversity
Councillor Siriol Hugh-Jones, co-chair of the Housing Committee, said: “We’re focused on protecting nature and boosting biodiversity throughout Brighton & Hove, so it’s fantastic to see how residents at Rose Hill Court have achieved this in their communal garden.
“Their efforts, which have been recognised with this important nomination, offer inspiration to other residents throughout the city who are keen to play their part in protecting local biodiversity.
“We launched our Carbon Neutral 2030 programme last year to help tackle the climate and biodiversity crises, but we will not be able to achieve this goal and create a healthier, more sustainable future for the city without the support of local people and businesses.”
Biodiversity and climate change
Biodiversity is the planet’s life support system. Climate change is a major threat to biodiversity, but protecting and restoring nature can help us adapt to the challenges of climate change.
In 2018, Brighton & Hove City Council declared a climate and biodiversity crisis. Since then, we have been working hard to boost biodiversity, for example by wilding a former council golf course at Waterhall and launching a rainscape at Wild Park.
The council is also working to improve biodiversity and protect nature through regional partnerships such as The Living Coast Biosphere, the Sussex Local Nature Partnership, and Greater Brighton through its GB10 Pledges.
