BioBlitz / Springwatch Wild Day Out

Over the weekend of 5 and 6 June, up to 2000 people came along to Markeaton Park to help us with our 24 hour BioBlitz (the first in Derbyshire), and enjoy our free Springwatch Wild Day Out.

The BioBlitz (wildlife survey) started at 5pm on the Saturday, and by the close at 5pm on Sunday over 600 different species of wildflowers, trees, bugs, birds, bats, worms and lichens had been identified in Markeaton Park. For the complete species list visit the Derbyshire Biodiversity website.

On the Sunday, our big outdoor LED screen provided constant footage, using a wireless camera link, of what people were finding on the BioBlitz, which inspired people attending the Springwatch Wild Day Out to participate in the survey.

Starting at 10am on the Sunday, the Springwatch Wild Day Out provided families with plenty of wildlife things to do, make and enjoy. You could make a smoothie drink by pedalling a bicycle, get your face painted, make badges, notebooks, bookmarks, help make a mosaic, as well as find out about the work of the environmental groups attending.

Over the 24 hour BioBlitz, which also helped us celebrate the BBC Springwatch Wild Day Out, UK BioBlitz 2010  and the International Year of Biodiversity 2010, WildDerby were helped by many wildlife experts, such as OPAL (The Open Air Laboratories Network), Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Entomological Society (DaNES), Friends of Markeaton Park, University of Derby, National Trust (East Midlands), Natural England and many more.

For some photographs of the weekend visit the BBC Derby website. For more information about what happened over the weekend, plus photographs, visit the University of Derby website.

Schools BioBlitz

Hosted by University of Derby and Friends of Markeaton Park, the Schools BioBlitz invited 350 children to Sturgess Fields and Markeaton Park on Wednesday 26 May.

Each school was invited to find as many different creatures and plants using leaves, words, pictures, names and photographs. They were then asked to create some wall art for the BioBlitz Schools competition.

There was a great response, and with help from OPAL, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire, Friends of Markeaton Park and WildDerby it was a great success.

To see the BioBlitz wall art from Brackensdale Junior School, Lakeside Community Primary School, Ravensdale Junior School, Mickleover Primary School, St Mary's Catholic Primary School and Markeaton Primary go to the University of Derby website.

Partners are already starting to plan a Derby Schools BioBlitz for 2011.

Wild About Ponds

Wild About Ponds is the big new WildDerby led project aimed at creating new and improving existing ponds. The three year partnership, officially launched on 25 March, is funded by SITA Trust. It aims to create and restore around 30 ponds across the city. Working with Derby City Pond Warden Association (DCPWA), BTCV, Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire and a host of other local partners, there is a rolling programme of work across the city, which many communities can get involved in. For more details, and how you can get involved, visit the DCPWA website.

Help WildDerby continue to ‘do one thing’!

Eager to build on the success of our BBC Breathing Places Year of Action in 2008, WildDerby helped to create more Breathing Places for people and wildlife during 2009.

To see how you can continue to help us 'do one thing' for wildlife in Derby during 2010, you can view our events on the BBC Breathing Places website. Once on the website, just click on the symbols on the map for details of what is happening in the Derby area.

You can also see our events on the Let's Go Wild in Derby 2010 webpage.

Grants

For information on grants visit the Council's Voluntary and Community Sector and Groundwork-WildDerby School Grounds Project webpages.

Friends of Chaddesden Wood

If you would like to become a member of the Friends of Chaddesden Wood, then contact Parks on 01332 641549, minicom 01332 256666.

BBC Breathing Places Projects at Sturgess Field and Chaddesden Park

Chaddesden Park, already important for birds, the brook and water voles, has received additional funding in order to engage local schools with activities at the park on behalf of WildDerby. Tree planting, bird boxes, the creation of a new pond and the production of a management plan for the Chaddesden Park Nature Area, have ensured that this site has become an important and successful area for wildlife. Download a copy of the Chaddesden Park Nature Area Management Plan.235kb

Sturgess Field, part of the University of Derby, with Markeaton Brook running through it, is an important site for wildlife. White-clawed crayfish, freshwater sponge and swan mussel have been found in the brook. The wildlife management plan, and the free schools Education Pack is now available by calling University of Derby on 01332 590500. For more details about Sturgess Field visit the University of Derby  website.

Groundwork - WildDerby School Grounds Project

In partnership with Derby City Council’s WildDerby Project, Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire are currently running the WildDerby School Grounds Project. Groundwork is working with schools throughout Derby to help them make the most of their school grounds, for the benefit of young people, the wider community and wildlife. For more information visit our Groundwork-WildDerby School Grounds Project webpage.

Local Nature Reserve Site Management Meetings

If you'd like to participate in meetings to discuss our Local Nature Reserves then visit our diary webpage. The Council, with local groups and neighbours, meet twice a year for each site, to talk about management proposals, the effects of management on the ecology of each site, and to develop positive solutions. Local Nature Reserves remain some of the most important sites for nature in the city, and we welcome input from anyone with an interest in the various sites.

Other work of WildDerby

In addition to events organised as part of our Year of Action, WildDerby has information on a variety of topics, such as monthly gardening tips, local nature reserves and management plans, 'Friends of' groups and 'Floyd's guides' to wildlife.

For information on Parks and Recreation in Derby visit our Parks and Recreation webpage.

For further information contact

Environment Projects Officer for WildDerby
Derby City Council
Regeneration and Community Department
Plans and Policies Section
Roman House
Friar Gate
Derby DE1 1XB

Telephone 01332 255021  Minicom 01332 256666  Fax 01332 255989  email wildderby@derby.gov.uk