Discover our nature zones
Our wildflowers aren't just beautiful; they are essential for our local pollinators, aiding in seed growth and providing shelter. Throughout Basildon, we're fortunate to host a variety of these blooms, like knapweed, ox-eye daisies, buttercups, wild carrots, and self-heal. These plants also serve as vital winter nourishment for our feathered friends and small critters.
Our bee posts and habitat panels are locally made in Basildon with recycled pier timbers and natural materials like wool, bamboo canes, and logs, catering to a variety of birds and insects, including solitary bees. Alongside this, our bee planters provide a safe location for solitary bees to lay and seal eggs, ready to emerge in spring to continue pollination.
There are over 500 ponds found in Basildon, ranging in different sizes, most of these are field ponds, tracing back to Basildon's farming past. Our local ponds and lakes play host to a flourishing array of ecosystems, providing a home to around two-thirds of all freshwater species like the common frog, newts, and dragonflies. These water bodies are not only vital for the environment but also act as defenders against climate change, flooding, and pollution.
A hibernaculum provides safe refuge for wildlife year-round. Constructed with sand, hardcore, logs, and soil, it shelters reptiles like common lizards and grass snakes, amphibians such as frogs and toads, small mammals like mice and voles, and solitary bees.
Our stumperies and log pyramids create a haven for stag beetles and other insects. These decaying wood structures offer shelter, nesting spots, and a place for larval development for a variety of species.
Together, let's protect our nature zones, so we can ensure these mini paradises thrive for future generations and help make a difference to tackle climate change.