A record amount of Sevenoaks District residents, schools and community groups have been rewarded this year for their horticultural endeavours in making their gardens more attractive to local wildlife.
Over 60 entrants have received a gold, silver, bronze or highly commended award as part of Sevenoaks District Council’s ‘Gardening for Wildlife’ award scheme, which is run in partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust and North West Kent Countryside Partnership.
Entrants garden were judged by volunteers from Kent Wildlife Trust on how plants and shrubs where used to help wildlife such as birds, hedgehogs and butterflies, as well as other factors such as composting, saving water, avoiding peat products, nest boxes and feeding areas.
As part of the scheme the Council also provide free ‘Go Wild in the Garden’ information packs, crammed with practical advice on how people can make small changes to the way they garden which will benefit wildlife.
There will be a free Wildlife Gardening Celebrations Evening on 28 September 2006 from 6.30pm at Sevenoaks Community Centre to present winners with their awards, and to offer information for those interested in finding out more about wildlife gardening. As part of the evening there will be presentations by Kent Wildlife Trust and the Kent and Medway Biological Records Centre. Displays and information from other local organisations will also be on offer.
Cllr Felicity Broomby says “This scheme has always been popular, but we have had a better response than ever this year. More local people have been making small, simple and inexpensive changes to the way they garden to give nature a helping hand, and increase the population of birds, insects and other creatures. I’d like to thank everyone for their enthusiastic response to this scheme, and for making a real difference to the environment.”
To book a place at the Wildlife Gardening Celebration Evening or to request a free Wildlife Gardening Information Pack, please contact Hayley Brooks on 01732 227272 or e-mail sus.dev@sevenoaks.gov.uk
For further information please contact: Steve Mandaluff on 01732 227162 or e-mail steven.mandaluff@sevenoaks.gov.uk
