With action from residents, community groups and the council from this campaign, we will start to see some great benefits. Working together for bees is not just good for the environment, but it’s good for our health and well being, and it’s good for the economy
If we plant more pollinating plants on both public and private land, reduce vigourous chemical weeding, then is shown to bring a variety of species and increase biodiversity.
It’ll improve the soil quality, bring more bees and insects to these urban areas and in turn, larger species – improving the resilience of our Wigan Wildlife.
Having green spaces around us is proven to improve mental well-being. This includes both public green spaces and having plants in your yard or garden.
They’re also shown to increase physical health and mobility. The more attractive we can make our urban spaces and gardens (not just the parks) the more this will show.
Wigan’s famous waterways are improving, but they could be better.
With less weed killer and litter going into the waterways, and more wild areas surrounding, it will bring much needed increased wildlife in and around the water.
As people reduce their bare yards and swap it out for plants, the risk of flooding could also reduce. Paving doesn’t soak up any rainwater, it just runs straight off into our easily overwhelmed drains and rivers, so instead there will be roots soaking up the water, and reducing the flow,
Pulling together for a common goal of improving your garden and local neighbourhood will feel great when we can really see a difference it has made. With more greenery, more wildlife and less litter everywhere
This positive neighbourhood atmosphere can’t be bought.
There should also be economic benefits to achieving these aims.
By doing our bit and having enough people volunteering to litter pick, for example, could save money on the £4 million it costs per year to deal with rubbish in our borough.
By letting grass verges and areas of playing fields etc grow and thrive, after any initial plant/seed cost, the ongoing maintenance for these areas will be a lot less, and less need for fertiliser and herbicides.
Cities and councils who have adopted these naturalising methods have often had a decrease of 1/3rd of the normal costs.
Better well-being for our residents will also have a positive economic impact for the NHS.
If you’d like to see some of these benefits in your neighbourhood, then head to our Get involved page.
It’s full of ideas to get started making your own wild patch, or how you can help in the community.