Avove and Severn Trent Offer Biodiversity Grant to Support Local Wildlife
Avove and Severn Trent support local wildlife with biodiversity grants
We are working with Severn Trent to lay a new water main from Strelley Reservoir to Redhill Reservoir to increase the resilience of the supply to over 180,000 Severn Trent customers. As part of this project, we have introduced biodiversity funding of £3753.96 to local wildlife groups in Nottinghamshire.
Creating spaces for nature to thrive
At Avove, we are committed to making a lasting positive impact within the communities in which we work. Alongside our commitment to community engagement, we are dedicated to working in an environmentally responsible way to support local ecosystems. The introduction of the biodiversity grants aims to support the activity of local wildlife groups who carry out a range of initiatives to take care of local species.
Rob Carlyle of Bestwood Village has recently been a recipient of the grant. Together with his wife, Jill, they have been developing their three-acre garden to create meadows, ponds and wooded areas for local wildlife to thrive. Speaking on the benefits of the grant for their project, Rob said:
“When I heard about the Avove/Servern Trent grant scheme, I jumped at the opportunity to further boost biodiversity.”
Rob and Jill’s garden will be open to groups in July 2025 through the National Garden Scheme that will raise money for cancer charities and other good causes.
Supporting the population of local species
Bats in the UK are threatened by habitat destruction, the increase of artificial light and building developments. After finding eight bat species on their three-acre land, Jill and Rob utilised the grant to fund 20 bat nursery boxes to support the local bat population. John Parker from Notts Bat Group confirmed that the group would use the siting of these boxes to monitor the population over the next five years.
In addition to the bat boxes, our grant also funded 30 house sparrow nest boxes. Working in partnership with the Birklands Ringing Group within the local community in Sandy Oaks, the nest boxes will be set up to boost the population of these now red-listed birds.
A male kestrel living in the area, has consistently failed to attract a mate to nest in the last two successive years. Kestrels are amber-listed birds, so improving their chances of mating are vital to ensure the survival of the species. Our biodiversity grant scheme funded a new box to boost the kestrel’s chances of finding a mate.
Finally, twenty amphibian refuges will be installed to provide cover for frogs, toads, lizards and slow worms. It is also hoped that grass snakes and great crested newts will call these refuges home one day. New pond dipping kits will be provided for fun learning opportunities for younger visitors to the garden.
Proud to support local wildlife in Nottinghamshire
There is little doubt that wildlife around the country is facing great pressure in the face of risks posed by human populations. We are committed to supporting local wildlife throughout our projects and through initiatives like our biodiversity grants. We are delighted to be able to support local groups in Nottinghamshire in their passion to help nature on their doorstep.