Comma on Cardamine pratensis #butterfly #wildflower #butterflyphotography #macrophotography #macro #wildflowermeadow #wildlifegarden #flowerphotography #nature #naturephotography #perthshire #Scotland

#ExeterUK - Former Exeter #GolfCourse to become public #Greenspace

10 February 2024

"A former golf course in Exeter is being turned into a 'tranquil greenspace for people and #wildlife'.

"Exeter City Council said dozens of fruit trees had already been planted and it would become a community orchard in the future.

"A #WildflowerMeadow will also be created at #NorthbrookPark to 'bring colour and wildlife to the space'.

"Ruth Williams, lead councillor for Place and City Management, said it would improve people's wellbeing. Alongside the new orchard, there are plans to upgrade access and the footpath.

"She said: 'It's to increase the biodiversity in the park, it's to improve the space for public use and it's to provide a community orchard.

"'It was earmarked for development for houses, we were going to build lots of houses there, but the local community asked us to have a rethink on that one.

"'We went out to public consultation in 2022, with the idea of actually turning it into a wildlife park, and 90% of the respondents supported that, so that's what we did - we listened to residents and we're on the path of converting a large green space into a wonderful amenity for visitors and Exeter residents to enjoy.'"

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-devon-68226399
#rewilding #RewildingUK #SolarPunkSunday

The #rewilded #GolfCourses teeming with life

Jocelyn Timperley, February 14, 2025

"From #Scotland to #California, golf courses are being rewilded – with lofty aims to benefit both people and #nature.

"Sinking into nature comes easy at the #PlockOfKyle. I visit this tiny wedge of parkland on the west coast of Scotland, just across the bridge from the Isle of Skye, on a rainy day in late September, and park ranger Heather Beaton and I spend the afternoon wandering around its various #ecosystems-in-miniature.

"We clamber over rocks at one of its little hidden natural harbours. We freeze as black darter dragonflies land on her pink shoe by a pond. And we bend to peer at circles of huge mushrooms which have sprung up overnight in its tiny woodland.

"A #WildflowerMeadow, ponds, scrub habitat, coastline and even an area of peat bog can be found on this little 60-acre (24-hectare) plot, which boasts roe deer, otters, lizards, eels and a huge array of insects and birds. 'We do describe it as a microcosm of Scotland,' says Beaton. 'If you think of all of the major habitats of Scotland, we've got them here on the Plock, just in miniature.' It's an impression she works to cultivate. 'The more little pockets we have, the more chance a person has to... end up having a nature experience,' she says.

"All of these habitats had fallen into serious disarray until a few years ago, says Beaton. In fact, most of this area used to be a golf course.

"The Plock is part of a small but significant global trend of land once used for golf being turned back over to nature. From #California to #Pennsylvania and #Australia to #Canada, these projects are reaping in some big rewards for both #biodiversity and local people."

Read more:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250214-from-scotland-to-california-the-rewilded-golf-courses-where-wildlife-thrives?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
#Biodiversity #SolarPunkSunday #RestoreNature