The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead has launched an exciting new initiative in partnership with local conservation, environmental and sustainability groups fostering community stewardship of roadside verges.
Verge on the Wild Side is a chance for individuals and community groups to support and encourage nature and greater biodiversity within their towns and villages, and supports the aim within the new Council Plan of a greener, cleaner and safer borough.
With the support of the council and conservation groups, such as the ‘Wilds’, and sustainability organisations, including the Eco Action Hub and Green Skills Library, they will be able to adopt a verge, turning unloved patches of greenery in their neighbourhoods into thriving homes for local wildflowers, grasses and insects, including pollinators.
It is hoped these resident-managed verges will demonstrate the benefits of biodiversity and how habitats can be created and enhanced, even in urban areas, no matter how small they are.
If you would like to get involved, or just wish to know more, please fill out the survey here: https://rbwmtogether.rbwm.gov.uk/verge-on-the-wild-side. Once an expression of interest has been submitted and the council has an idea of the verge you are looking to adopt, we will be in touch to discuss the next steps.
Councillor Karen Davies, Cabinet Member for climate change and biodiversity, said: “We’re proud to be launching our exciting new Verge on the Wild Side initiative on Earth Day and our thanks to the conservation and sustainability groups in the borough for working in partnership with us to support and deliver this initiative. We are very lucky to have a range of parks and green spaces in the borough. However, we know that there are residents and community groups who have roadside verges and patches of green in their local area that they would like to do something with to enhance nature and biodiversity in their streets.
“By participating, you can play your part in protecting nature. Along with fostering community stewardship of verges, this initiative will promote greater biodiversity and, in turn, support our Biodiversity Action Plan. The borough is also the lead authority for Berkshire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy, and this scheme can align with that emerging strategy, helping us to promote habitat creation. We’ll ensure that the verges identified are suitable for the project - we’ll need to consider location and ownership, and that residents and community groups are supported with the right knowledge and tools.”
Councillor Joshua Reynolds, Cabinet member for communities and leisure, said: “We want to work with our communities to engage with the natural world across all the wards of the borough and this project is the perfect way to get involved in supporting wildlife and biodiversity in your own neighbourhood. This is also an opportunity to be part of a fun, sociable activity which I hope will bring residents together to work in partnership, not just with the council, but with their neighbours.”
For any questions or queries, please email volunteer@rbwm.gov.uk using the subject heading ‘Verge on the Wild Side project’.