Biodiversity Business Challenge

How to get involved

Look through the list of projects below and find one (or more) which your organisation might be interested in tackling. Then get in touch with us to discuss the projects further. We will help you to design the project and to maximise the publicity for yourselves and the wildlife we are trying to protect. For some projects materials may have to be sourced before any action takes place, in others materials may be provided by one of the partners.

11 Challenges Below:

Gateshead

Opportunites exist throughout Gateshead to get involved in caring for and celebrating Gateshead's countryside and green spaces. The Countryside Projects Team has experience of working with business in all aspects of practical conservation work. For more information ring 0191 433 3443. Specific projects in Gateshead include:

1. Norwood Nature Park, Gateshead

Opportunities exist for businesses to take part in the care and appreciation of this attractive Local Nature Reserve, situated at the northern end of the Team Valley Trading Estate. Activities include woodland, grassland and wetland management. No previous experience is required, all necessary tools and equipment are provided. Employees from Barclays plc periodically take part in practical tasks on site. Technical support is also sought to provide a sustainable water supply (possible suds system) to the pond.

2. Kittiwake Tower, Gateshead

The Kittiwake Tower is an artificial nesting platform, home to one of the most inland breeding seabird colonies in the world. An opportunity exists for businesses to become involved in a specialised project to install a remote viewing camera, to provide live and recorded video footage of the birds, as part of a innovative education programme.

3. Lamesley Pastures, Gateshead

Help the birds at this new site in the pretty village of Lamesley. You can build a screen from which people can watch birds on the winter wetlands or build and install Tree Sparrow boxes in the area.

4. Ousborough Wood, Gateshead

Help design and construct a way-marked trail and install spotted flycatcher boxes in this attractive, ancient semi-natural woodland by the banks of the Beamish Burn.

5. Addison and Hedgefield Woods, Gateshead

Pick litter and plant wildflowers in this woodland with a surprising past.

6. Blaydon Burn, Gateshead

Many opportunities to take part in practical work in this large wooded valley with a significant industrial past.

Darlington

7. A peaceful Geneva wood, Darlington

This is Darlington's most significant edge of town woodland - a 25 year old plantation site of predominately Scots Pine. Roe deer are frequently seen, along with gold crest, coal tit, fox, sparrowhawk and unconfirmed sightings of crossbill.

A local steering group has achieved much on this urban site which has had a variety of problems, and further help is needed to improve the path network, create entrance features, provide interpretation and carry out extensive habitat improvements to make the woodland far more wildlife-friendly.

8. Cocker hoots about Cockerbeck, Darlington

Cocker Beck is a well-used parkland on the west of Darlington with some impressive trees. Unfortunately the beck itself suffers from having lost its supply of water in the early 70's due to flood alleviation and now is little more than an unpleasant drainage ditch.

In order to address this problem, a project has been devised to increase the water flow in a controlled way & remodel the resulting stream so that wildlife and people can once again enjoy this valuable wetland habitat.

Help is required for putting in a wind pump or similar mechanism for lifting water into the system, the remodeling of the water course as well as planting the river banks and re-establishing the wildflower meadows.

Other Business Challenges

9. Nesting Box Challenge

Source some of the materials and build a variety of nestboxes for some our most vulnerable species - then get them up! We need nest boxes for pine martens, tree sparrows, and barn owls, all of which have out of the ordinary designs, and need to be erected in particular places for maximum effect. Volume of work dependent on volume of materials sourced, and the project can be focussed on one species for small groups and most effective publicity. Any materials you are able to source will be matched in value by the DBP.

10. Beach Clean-up

Organise a wildlife-friendly beach clean-up on any part of the Durham Coast. Do the publicity, liase with the relevant organisations and organise the health and safety elements of the project. Litter collecting equipment and materials can be provided through the DBP.

For more information contact Easington District Council's Ranger Service by clicking here or by contacting Duncan Gomes.
t: 0191 527 0501
e: duncan.gomes@easington.gov.uk

11. Working on your own patch

If you have premises which could be enhanced for wildlife and you would like support to get your team involved. Then give us a call to see how we could help on 0191 584 3112 or email Andy Lees.