Complete

Protecting nature for community well-being

1

Funding required£1,950
Delivery timeframe5 months
LocationDartington

The Pitch

Problem statement

Meadowbrook Park has undergone a huge transformation over the last three years; from a state of neglect to a thriving hub for the community. This is largely as the result of an inclusive new rustic playground and a woodland pump track for balance bikes and adapted bikes. However, the site comprises of 10 acres of land that includes established woodland, wet meadow, amenity green space, wildflower meadow areas, hedgerows, coppiced glades and a brook which have not historically been managed and cared for. We want to bring our community together to care for the site through surveying it and then better management of the site.

Solution

We will work with the three adjacent schools to discover what species of plants and animals live and visit the site. Teaching them how to survey and identify the different habitats on site e.g. stream dipping. With the support of our volunteers and wider community we will also engage adults through a series of public events such as bat walks and plant identification sessions. Once we have a better understanding of the natural space on site we will work with a local ecological company to produce a Management Plan for the site. This will idenitfy clear actions. We will then run practical conservation days through our partnerships of schools, youth groups, families and the wider community.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

In 2020-21 we ran a community engagement project with Earthjump. As a result we have developed an excellent partnership network. On our trustee board we have representatives from each School who are committed to the emergence of Meadowbrook as a truely inclusive community hub. Online consultation with 220 local households has shown that our community has both willing volunteers and a keen interest in caring for the environment. We have worked with this community in the development and installation of a £165k inclusive natural playground and £50k rustic woodland bike track for adapted bikes and balance bikes. We also have the equipment, knowledge and passion for the natural world.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Equipment£50
Plants and Seeds£100
Salary £200 x 9£1,800

Beneficiaries

800 people

Expected impact

We will work towards the below SMART Outcomes: 1. Improved understanding of Meadowbrook’s natural space. A detailed record of all plants, trees, insects, mammals and birds on site through surveying, tracking and setting up cameras. 2. An engaged, knowledgeable local community with more ownership of nature on site. A future generation of people that know, care and understand about the natural world. A community wide understanding of what we are hoping to achieve. 3. Improved management of the natural habitats on site. Regular support to undertake practical tasks. 4. Increased volunteer capacity for future sustainable management of the site. 5. A stronger partnership network of organisations involved at Meadowbrook. We will measure this using the Likert Scale; asking participants to rank how they agree or disagree with the above statements by putting a leaf in the bucket e.g. I have a better understanding of what wildlife there is at Meadowbrook.

Track record

We engaged 400 pupils of neighbouring schools, recurited 40 new volunteers through a series of consultation and outdoor learning sessions. We planted 400 native bulbs, created two wildflower areas, installed bird and bats boxes and planted six wildlife friendly climbers. We now have a team caring for areas planted.


Project updates (0)

Published by

Dartington Recreation Association

Registered charity