Greenspace Improvement
Nature Recovery, Climate Resilience , Health and Wellbeing
Warmley Nature Action Zone (NAZ): Pollinator Ribbon
The Eunomia natural capital accounting valuation tool estimates that this project will provide £7,906,700 of environmental and social benefits over a 15-year period. A cost benefit return of almost 77:1 - Click the link below to view the valuation details.
Summary
- Almost 2km of continuous pollinator-friendly planting, forming an unbroken ribbon of habitat.
- A new, nature-rich orchard area.
- Woodland enhancement to increase plant diversity and improve ecological resilience.
- Four beautifully crafted feature entrances that provide wildlife habitat and celebrate the heritage of the space.
- 4,000m² of enhanced grassland, managed for a richer, more diverse display of flowering plants.
Background
The Warmley Nature Action Zone (NAZ) is a community–led partnership between residents, Avon Wildlife Trust (AWT), and the Council. Together, we’re creating more space for nature throughout the Warmley estate. Over recent years, residents have helped plant a community orchard, introduce flowering bulb displays, carry out wildlife surveys, and transform their own gardens to support local biodiversity. A large tree-planting programme across the estate has further strengthened wildlife habitats and increased the area’s resilience to climate change.
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Community volunteers have made a start, planting spring flowering bulbs near the play area.
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Part of the linear green space that runs throughout the estate.
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Another view of part of the green space that runs down through the entire length of the estate.
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The historic Siston Brook, which runs alongside the linear green space, attracting and providing sanctuary for wildlife visiting the area.
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Local residents formed the 'Warmley Flock' and are taking action for nature through acts such as adding pollinator friendly plants to their garden spaces.
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Detail of a new orchard area created with the help and residents and using historic Gloucestershire varieties.
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An underpass beneath the road ensures the linear green space remains continuous and unbroken.
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An aerial view of the new community orchard planted with the help of volunteer residents.
Natural Resource
Running through the estate is a rare and valuable asset: a 2km linear green corridor stretching from one end of the community to the other. This ribbon of green space supports walking and cycling, provides a safe place for children to play close to home, and allows wildlife to move freely and safely through the neighbourhood.
The Ambition
This project builds on that green space resource by creating a flower-rich Pollinator Ribbon—a continuous 2km pathway designed to support bees, butterflies, and other vital pollinating insects. Through a blend of spring bulbs, perennial wildflowers, flowering lawns (such as clover), hedgerow plants, and woodland species, this enhanced corridor will offer an abundant, season-long food supply. Working alongside pollinator-friendly gardening by local residents, the Pollinator Ribbon will become a thriving haven and crucial lifeline for many pollinator communities.
To celebrate the space and welcome people in, the project also introduces four new feature entrances. These striking gateways, built using traditional drystone construction with integrated bee and bug ‘hotels’, will create additional habitat for insects, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals. They will also help define the NAZ area, foster neighbourhood pride, and highlight the community’s commitment to nature recovery.