Southmead Development Trust (SDT)’s Greenway Centre is living up to its name with the recent planting of 200 trees around its site on Doncaster Road, creating a woodland area on the edge of its open space, as well as around the car park area. It will indeed form a real ‘green way’ for wildlife.
The aim of the project is to create more of a wildlife corridor between the Greenway Community Garden and Badock’s Wood Nature Reserve, so that wildlife can move easily between the two areas. This increases the shelter and food sources available to local wildlife, thus supporting biodiversity.
Ella Tainton, SDT’s climate and nature action co-ordinator, explained: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Forest of Avon Trust – it is something we have wanted to do for so long and teaming up with the Trust means we have support for the project, funding to buy and maintain the trees, and the expertise to make sure our new trees get the best start.”
On planting day itself (which was not, inevitably, blessed by the weather), a steady stream of visitors came along to help, including some stalwart volunteers, residents and staff from both Trusts.
A highlight was a visit from the children at Raised In Bristol at Greenway – a CIC nursery on the site – who lent a hand and learn about nature – with worms being a particular attraction!
Looking to the future, Ella added: “To maximise the chance of success, we have carefully chosen tree species which are local to our surrounding area and will support lots of wildlife. These include oak, hazel, beech, rowan, and wild cherry – lots of recognisable native and naturalised species for us all to enjoy for years to come.”
The space will be open for all to visit at leisure, and regular news feeds will keep locals informed of events and activities planned to care for and maintain the site.