The idea of a Community Nature Reserve is to take an entire block of land with a mixture of dense housing, semi-green spaces and wilder places and not just declare it a nature reserve, but bring the community together to join up the green spaces and encourage greater wildlife friendliness. There is power when a community comes together to improve the local neighbourhood. A Community Nature Reserve is viewing the area overall, just as a bird views it from above our heads and not dividing it into individual gardens and property boundaries – but as a connected area with huge potential to benefit people and wildlife.

A great example of a Community Nature Reserve is looking at a local street with houses. This street will probably have gardens and some open spaces. When working together, each garden and connected open space has the potential to be part of a green corridor, create a hedgehog highway and provide a variety of habitats for local species of birds, butterflies, bees and other invertebrates and mammals. Just like Team Wilder, all small actions for nature collectively make a big difference and many essential habitats can be created.

Where do Community Nature Reserves exist?

They can exist anywhere! Community Nature Reserves include front and back gardens, open spaces, pockets of land, parks, allotments etc. The community nature reserve links them together and encourages local pride and participation.

• Front gardens and containers hold huge potential for wildlife
• Wildlife friendly back gardens are beautiful
• Unloved patches of land as wildlife stepping stones
• Local parks and open spaces

We know of Community Nature Reserves in Bedminster, Totterdown, Emersons Green, Warmley, Frampton Cotteral, Willsbridge and Frome Valley. Tell us if you know of more!

BS3 Community Nature Reserve

Ben Barker, one of the founders of Blooming Bedminster and numerous local wildlife projects, created a form for BS3 residents to complete about wildlife sightings and habitats in their gardens. This was the start of their Community Nature Reserve.

Wildlife friendly features include a water feature, bushes, wood pile, bird box, pollinator friendly plants etc. Sightings of mammals, birds, insects and amphibians are also shared.

Wildlife spotted and shared

You don't need to be a wildlife expert! Awareness and education about wildlife gardening is celebrated, encouraged and increased. One single garden can create a lot for wildlife, but combined with other green spaces more is achieved. By sharing wildlife sightings you are taking action for nature.

How to create your Community Nature Reserve

The Team Wilder actions map visually plots what people are locally doing for nature, highlighting habitats and potential green corridors. 

• Create a form to collect information. Amend Bens form.
• Find people in your community to work with, through an existing group.
• Discuss communication. Eg. email newsletter, Facebook group, WhatsApp. Reach people via leaflets, door knocking, local events and chatting to neighbours.
• Someone needs to collate the information to create the nature reserve.
• Have a long term view – not everyone will get involved. Celebrate results that you have.
• Share knowledge and wildlife wins to inspire and encourage others.
• Look to include local green spaces, allotments, parks.
• Have a welcome pack and launch event if possible.