With generous funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund an exciting two year project, Discovering our Glorious Grasslands (DoGG), in Eastleigh is about to be launched.
The project will work with local people across several sites owned by Eastleigh Borough Council, local Parish Councils and other organisations. It will provide opportunities to learn about our amazing wildlife-rich grasslands, why they are important and the threats which face them, and enable people to enjoy a variety of outdoor spaces.
The project aims to encourage people to use their country park and grassland for enjoyment and as part of a volunteering program. We will help them take their first steps in reconnecting with their local environment, and improve conservation management through practical volunteering, providing greater long term sustainability of local sites. DoGG will encourage a wide range of expertise to become involved and offer the chance for community involvement through an exciting programme of events.
In the last 70 years we have lost over 97% of grasslands in the U.K. and as this crucial habitat continues to decline, so do the numbers of plants, animals and insects that rely on it. Bumblebees and insects play a vital role in supporting our countryside, agriculture and even our economy through the pollination they provide, and they need flower-rich grasslands, particularly wildflower meadows, in order to survive.
Our vision is that one day, everyone will live close to a wildlife-rich grassland”, Lucy Cooper, Chief Executive of The Grasslands Trust. “This project is an integral part in making our dreams a reality.”
The Grasslands Trust welcomes individuals, interested groups and other organisations to be part of the DoGG. A dedicated website will be running during the length of the project to celebrate achievements and to provide information about the sites, volunteering and community events.
For information on how to get involved please call 02380 650093 or visit www.grasslands-trust.org.
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