READING Borough Council has reinforced its commitment to rewilding in the borough as it adopts more locations for natural habitats.
The council has now set aside more than 50 sites for restoration, reclamation, and the growing of natural habitats.
Now in its fifth year, the council’s rewilding project seeks to increase biodiversity in the town, which in turn restores pollinating insects, improves the look of the town, and provides more opportunities for residents to engage with nature.
Rewilding sees plants in spaces such Prospect Park, Palmer Park, Kings Meadow, and a number of roadside verges and smaller spaces trimmed less or differently.
This allows wildflowers to grow which are additionally reseeded and enhanced where possible.
It also contributes to efforts to reduce carbon through the natural absorption of carbon from the air and into the ground.
A report about the success of the scheme is set to be put to the council’s housing, neighbourhoods, and leisure committee on Wednesday, July 10, with a view to the plan’s continuation.
The council is also seeking to recruit a senior technical officer to lead the rewilding project as it seeks expansion.
Karen Rowland, Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety, said:
“This is a really positive story for Reading’s residents, and I’m delighted that what started as a small trial in 2020 has become such a successful, large-scale plan covering over 50 hectares – the equivalent of more than 100 football pitches.
“Despite the relatively small footprint of Reading, we are continuing to look to expand the programme where such efforts are practicable.”
“For such an urban and densely populated town like Reading to be able to set aside and cultivate that amount of land to focus on enhancing biodiversity is testimony to the positivity residents have to tackling the climate emergency.
“The amount of dedication put in to understanding the right conditions for rewilding to work in different parts of the borough are well worth it, when we know just how much residents enjoy those efforts.”
She added: “We are still learning how to adjust our maintenance routines of these areas to the varied challenges of drought and excessive rain which are becoming increasingly common factors.
“However it is fair to say that the project, along with our wildflowers, is blooming, and it is great that residents are engaging so positively with this policy which stands to benefit everyone in the borough.”
Councillors from the Green Party, the main opposition in the council, have said that they still want to see more from the scheme.
Cllr Rob White, Green Party leader, said: “We have a nature crisis in Reading and across the country–one in six species are at risk of extinction in Great Britain.
“Greens have long lobbied for the council to do more on rewilding; we are pleased that a new officer is going to be recruited but unfortunately this year the council missed its rewilding target.
“It had hoped to rewild 2.5 ha. but only managed 2 ha. Green councillors will keep up the pressure to tackle the nature crisis.”
