In this special feature from community gardener and former park ranger Tanya Dickson explains why gardening works wonders for wildlife and people, and share her top five flowers for parks and gardens.
In 2019, I and four friends set up a small green social enterprise, focused on bringing people out into nature, and engaging positively with their local green spaces. Whether urban park or local nature reserve, we want to help people protect their local green spaces. I like to think that we help to rewild communities!
I was inspired by local volunteers I had worked with as a countryside and urban ranger. Volunteers help look after parks and nature reserves across the UK and they are fundamental in supporting and leading many of the activities that our local spaces need to do to thrive and survive.
Looking after green spaces can take many forms, ranging from litter picking and weeding to helping to organise festivals and community events. One group I work with looks after a small grassland, part of which involves hand cutting the meadow and raking away the cuttings to keep the nutrients down and improve wildflower diversity.
Another of our projects involves working with a local college to bring student volunteers into the local park. Not every student may arrive excited to spend a morning gardening, but I’m struck by how soon they all get involved and they always leave with a smile. Although I accept that the biscuit and hot chocolate at the end of a session may play a part here!
What all these groups have in common is a noticeable energy. Something positive is definitely going on. Much has been written about the benefit of being in nature and I see the result of regular, prolonged contact with nature in individuals of all ages and backgrounds. In my experience, exposure to nature helps to reduce stress and creates resilience. I’m also hopeful it results in a life-long passion for our natural world and all it can provide.
As a conservation volunteer for many years, I always found the atmosphere fun (even when covered in mud and probably not smelling too great), the people extremely friendly and, of course, you get your obligatory cup of tea and biscuit. You feel great, that you had made a positive contribution to something bigger that was important and needed help.
Just being in nature, touching the soil or a tree has such an effect on us. In our frequently online and often indoor society, it can be easy to suffer from nature deficit. Research has shown that when we immerse ourselves in nature or even just look out onto nature from our sitting rooms, it can help reduce our blood pressure, decrease stress levels and improve our sleep. These are significant improvements to our physical health and wellbeing.
So go on, get out in nature, volunteer if you can, or just wonder at the fantasticness of it all. I am sure that an organisation nearby is calling out for help. Start with the RSPB or search for volunteer opportunities online. I promise you, it's more than worth your time!
If you’re looking for a bit of inspiration to rewild your community or your own outdoor space, here are five of my favourite flowers. They all work well in parks and gardens, and are good for wildlife too.
These beautiful flowers last throughout the summer. Although native to Mexico, their nectar filled flowers will attract bees.
This herbaceous perennial flowers in May, June and July and has lovely delicate white, pink and red flowers.
There are lots of different types of poppies, from the familiar red to showy ornamental ones, such as Papaver orientale. Many are good for wildlife. Just look for flowers that make it easy for bees and other pollinators to get at the pollen!
Salvias are members of the sage family and are long flowering. Salvia ‘Hot lips’ is a particular favourite and often popular with bumblebees.
You may be familiar with this plant as a wildflower, growing untamed in verges. It can also make a stunning display in parks and gardens too, and is much loved by insects!
Tanya Dickson is a founder of CultureWood, a non-profit community enterprise run by local women in Hertfordshire. CultureWood supports community groups, adults and children to reconnect with nature and to create safe, friendly outdoor spaces for everyone to enjoy.