Birds, bees and butterflies will be welcomed at our fire stations thanks to an eco-drive designed to make a difference.
More than 30 wildflower verges will be created to provide safe habitats for insects and other wildlife.
And bird boxes, feeders and bee tubes will be put up around fire stations across Hampshire and Isle of Wight as part of our ongoing commitment to going greener.
Eastleigh Fire Station was the first to receive its biodiversity box and wildflower verge signs have now been installed – just in time for No Mow May, a national campaign designed to highlight the benefits leaving areas unmowed can have on local wildlife populations.
Rural stations including Hardley, Tadley and Brockenhurst will also get designated wildflower verges, alongside some of our more urban fire stations such as Gosport, Havant and Southsea.
“We saw an opportunity to make the most of our green areas by making some simple changes,” explains energy and sustainability officer Carrie Dickson.
“A lot of the verges aren’t used for anything else, so the chance to turn these spaces into wildflower areas will provide a positive impact on biodiversity by creating habitats for insects and other wildlife.
“The biodiversity boxes will provide people on station with some simple ways to encourage more wildlife to the area.
“We’d like to get more people interested in being environmental champions and these are easy things that everyone can do to make a difference.”