Lucy Shepherd
Nextdoor Nature
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.
So, whether there’s a dull, barren patch of land that could be colourful and buzzing again, or a space that could be a wild but safe area to visit or play in – the Nextdoor Nature projects will help everyone to take action for nature.
Suffolk Wildlife Trust urban vision illustration, Dan Hilliard, 2021
Our Nextdoor Nature project in Ipswich
Delivered by Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Nextdoor Nature aims to empower people to take action for nature in their community in Ipswich. This could include establishing wild habitats and green corridors, to naturalising highly urbanised or unused areas.
The pandemic has demonstrated just how important access to a well-cared for natural environment is to communities across the UK, and Nextdoor Nature will be working with communities who have little, or no access, to green space in their local area and in areas of socio-economically under-resourced areas of Ipswich.
The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world and research shows 85% of people in nature-deprived areas say more natural spaces would improve their quality of life. Nextdoor Nature will enable people to make this happen and in doing so, take steps to tackle the nature and climate crisis whilst also addressing important health and well being needs.
"We know that people want to take action to improve their neighbourhoods but often it’s hard to know where to start. Nextdoor Nature will let communities set their own agenda about the environmental issues they want to tackle and we’ll be exploring different ways of bringing people together and giving them support, skills and confidence to take the next step.
"Thanks to the funding from the Heritage Fund, Suffolk Wildlife Trust will support individuals and groups to rewild communities who currently see their local area deprived of natural places to enjoy. Evidence shows that people are increasingly disconnected from nature, with profound consequences for health and it also means they are less likely to protect their natural heritage.
In the words of Sir David Attenborough, President Emeritus of The Wildlife Trusts, “No-one will protect what they don’t care about; and no-one will care about what they have never experienced."
- Sara Holman, Head of Engagement, Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
Want to get involved?
Nextdoor Nature is here to support communities in Ipswich, who would like to make space for nature and people. So if you are an individual or group, tell us about your ideas and let us know how we can help!
Send us an email at Ipswich.engagement@suffolkwildlifetrust.org
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?
