4km eco corridor to be created, connecting four Hackney parks
ecoACTIVE has been awarded £249,028 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to create a 4km ecological corridor between four parks in Hackney, planting and creating habitats for pollinators. This initiative aligns with ecoACTIVE's mission to engage communities in environmental education and conservation efforts.
The Hackney Buzzline project will engage residents of all ages and backgrounds in creating vital habitats for pollinators. The corridor will connect four sites of importance for nature conservation, facilitating the movement of pollinators through urban green spaces. Through family-friendly, community-scale projects, participants will learn about pollinator-friendly gardening and contribute to the preservation of local biodiversity.
Building a Biodiverse Future: The Hackney Buzzline Project
Rich pollinator diversity is a crucial part of Hackney's natural heritage. The project builds upon ecoACTIVE's successful community initiatives, such as the postcode gardener project in Daubeney Fields, which has already shown significant increases in insect diversity and community engagement.
The Hackney Buzzline project will not only enhance biodiversity but also improve public green spaces, strengthen community pride and cohesion, and provide valuable learning opportunities in wildlife gardening and species identification.
Commenting on the award, ecoACTIVE Director Jessica Dolan said:
“We are thrilled to have received this support thanks to National Lottery players and are confident the project will support the local Hackney community to become active citizens, taking pride in their natural heritage, whilst improving their wellbeing and connecting with others.”
A Greener Future for Hackney: The Impact of the Hackney Buzzline Project
The Hackney Buzzline project aims to establish a 4km ecological corridor between four parks in Hackney, creating habitats for pollinators. Over the next three years, ecoACTIVE will collaborate with local partners, including Hackney Council, Friends of the Earth, and Butterfly Conservation, to engage residents in community gardening sessions, species identification workshops, and habitat creation activities. The project will enhance biodiversity, improve public green spaces, and provide learning opportunities for participants of all ages and backgrounds.
The Hackney Buzzline project is currently funded for three years, starting in April 2024 and ending in April 2027.
Why we need Pollinators in Hackney
Pollinators face significant habitat loss and threats in the UK, with 97% of wildflower meadows destroyed and many species at risk. The Hackney Buzzline project addresses this need by creating vital habitats for pollinators, contributing to the preservation of local biodiversity.
The project aims to achieve outcomes related to inclusion, wellbeing, local area improvement, skills development, and changes in ideas and actions regarding natural heritage. Activities will engage residents in wildlife gardening, species identification, and habitat creation, fostering community pride and cohesion.
Hackney Buzzline Partnerships
The project will involve collaboration with Hackney Council, Friends of the Earth, Butterfly Conservation, Bumblebee Conservation Trust, local schools, community gardens, and park user groups. Volunteers will be recruited and trained to assist with project activities and monitoring.
Additional funding support has been secured from City Bridge Foundation, Garfield Weston and King’s Park Moving Together who have contributed match funding for year 1 of the project.
About ecoACTIVE
ecoACTIVE is an innovative environmental education charity with a reputation for using hands-on, practical approaches to explore complex issues of sustainability. ecoACTIVE's mission is to create a world where young people and communities are agents of change for creating a better planet.
Follow ecoACTIVE on X, Instagram or Facebook
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
As the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033.
Over the next ten years, the Heritage Fund aims to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring about benefits for people, places and the natural environment.
The Heritage Fund helps protect, transform and share the things from the past that people care about, from popular museums and historic places, our natural environment and fragile species, to the languages and cultural traditions that celebrate who we are.
The Heritage Fund is passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to people’s lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.
Follow @HeritageFundUK on X, Facebook and Instagram
