Creating New Wildflower Habitats to Form a Betchworth B-Line
Norman Jackson
Over 40 of the households in north Betchworth have now volunteered to join the community project to create a Betchworth Biodiversity Line or B-Line, as outlined in the January issue of the magazine. This simple but powerful idea to help nature halt the massive decline of insect pollinators encourages people to cultivate more wildflowers. Flourishing populations of pollinators are essential for crop production for both human and animal food and wildflower habitats not only provide food for pollinators but enhance their ability to migrate.
Norman Jackson
Over 40 of the households in north Betchworth have now volunteered to join the community project to create a Betchworth Biodiversity Line or B-Line, as outlined in the January issue of the magazine. This simple but powerful idea to help nature halt the massive decline of insect pollinators encourages people to cultivate more wildflowers. Flourishing populations of pollinators are essential for crop production for both human and animal food and wildflower habitats not only provide food for pollinators but enhance their ability to migrate.
Buglife animation explaining B-Lines UK network of Biodiversity Lines (B-Lines) Surrey's Biodiversity Lines
Our efforts to engage our community in creating our own biodiversity line were recognised by Buglife – the organisation responsible for the B-Lines - who donated 1.3Kg of wildflower seed. Following a short presentation to Betchworth Parish Council we also received a grant to purchase another 4Kg of wildflower seed to offer to residents of Betchworth who were willing to cultivate wildflowers.
Re-B B-Line team members Deb and Milla packaging seeds ready for distribution
We concentrated our resources in North Betchworth. Our small team went door to door with the message that any contribution was valued from sowing seeds in a large pot to dedicating a few square metres of garden. It has been very satisfying to see so many households willing to get involved, especially as this was the first community project that many had joined.
Our efforts to engage our community in creating our own biodiversity line were recognised by Buglife – the organisation responsible for the B-Lines - who donated 1.3Kg of wildflower seed. Following a short presentation to Betchworth Parish Council we also received a grant to purchase another 4Kg of wildflower seed to offer to residents of Betchworth who were willing to cultivate wildflowers.
Re-B B-Line team members Deb and Milla packaging seeds ready for distribution
We concentrated our resources in North Betchworth. Our small team went door to door with the message that any contribution was valued from sowing seeds in a large pot to dedicating a few square metres of garden. It has been very satisfying to see so many households willing to get involved, especially as this was the first community project that many had joined.
RE-B B-Line team member Milla helping a neighbour prepare their garden
March and April are the prime slots for sowing seeds in the spring. Some members of the RE-B team helped their neighbours prepare their gardens for seeding. We estimate that the new area sown with wildflower seed is over 1000 sq metres. In addition, if we include existing wildflower meadows (like Potters Farm) and a number of no-mow gardens and fields in which wildflowers are allowed to grow, we estimate that by mid-summer we will have well over 2000 square metres of wildflower rich habitat in north Betchworth. The map below summarises what we hope to achieve this year, and we are still receiving offers of further contributions. And that is the point… once we have established our B-Line we can continue to develop new wildflower gardens and meadows within it.
March and April are the prime slots for sowing seeds in the spring. Some members of the RE-B team helped their neighbours prepare their gardens for seeding. We estimate that the new area sown with wildflower seed is over 1000 sq metres. In addition, if we include existing wildflower meadows (like Potters Farm) and a number of no-mow gardens and fields in which wildflowers are allowed to grow, we estimate that by mid-summer we will have well over 2000 square metres of wildflower rich habitat in north Betchworth. The map below summarises what we hope to achieve this year, and we are still receiving offers of further contributions. And that is the point… once we have established our B-Line we can continue to develop new wildflower gardens and meadows within it.
A number of local businesses are supporting the community project. Ranmore Engineering and Services, who sponsor the roundabout on the A25, agreed to sow low growing wildflowers on the roundabout, and Knights Nursery agreed to cultivate a wildflower garden at the junction of A25 and Station Rd.
We are also delighted that North Downs School in Betchworth wanted to participate in our B-Line project. We provided a small packet of seeds to each pupil and helped prepare the ground for sowing. Outdoor education teacher Rona Ottaway told us that the children “had a great time raking the ground and sowing seeds. They were very interested in what we were planting asking many questions. We are all looking forward to seeing what happens over the next few weeks. It’s a great learning experience for the children.”
RE-B volunteers Navid Tomlinson and James Benn removing the turf on the school’s field ready for sowing wildflower seed.
We are also delighted that North Downs School in Betchworth wanted to participate in our B-Line project. We provided a small packet of seeds to each pupil and helped prepare the ground for sowing. Outdoor education teacher Rona Ottaway told us that the children “had a great time raking the ground and sowing seeds. They were very interested in what we were planting asking many questions. We are all looking forward to seeing what happens over the next few weeks. It’s a great learning experience for the children.”
RE-B volunteers Navid Tomlinson and James Benn removing the turf on the school’s field ready for sowing wildflower seed.
Wildflower and Insect Pollinator Surveys
Over the next few months we will do our best to map the wildflower habitats we have created and create a photographic/video record. But the most important part of our work will be to study the effects of what we are doing on populations of insect pollinators. We are delighted that ecologist Josh Brown has agreed to help us with this aspect of our survey work. We have chosen 6 sites along the B-Line and we will conduct a survey at each site once a month between May to September to identify the insects we attract.
No Mow May
During May we encourage all residents to let their lawns flourish. By leaving them uncut in May you will give wildflowers in your lawn a chance to grow and feed those insect pollinators. By June the benefits will be apparent, and we anticipate that Betchworth will be buzzing with pollinators as they feast on our wildflowers. We invite all residents to send us their photos of wildflowers and insect pollinators for inclusion in an online gallery to celebrate our community effort in July.
If you haven’t planted your seeds yet it’s not too late. If you need help to dig a patch just ask. If you have any photos of wildflowers or insect pollinators please email them to project coordinator Norman Jackson [email protected]
Over the next few months we will do our best to map the wildflower habitats we have created and create a photographic/video record. But the most important part of our work will be to study the effects of what we are doing on populations of insect pollinators. We are delighted that ecologist Josh Brown has agreed to help us with this aspect of our survey work. We have chosen 6 sites along the B-Line and we will conduct a survey at each site once a month between May to September to identify the insects we attract.
No Mow May
During May we encourage all residents to let their lawns flourish. By leaving them uncut in May you will give wildflowers in your lawn a chance to grow and feed those insect pollinators. By June the benefits will be apparent, and we anticipate that Betchworth will be buzzing with pollinators as they feast on our wildflowers. We invite all residents to send us their photos of wildflowers and insect pollinators for inclusion in an online gallery to celebrate our community effort in July.
If you haven’t planted your seeds yet it’s not too late. If you need help to dig a patch just ask. If you have any photos of wildflowers or insect pollinators please email them to project coordinator Norman Jackson [email protected]
Our recorded Introductory talks on B-Lines