Believe housing make an environmental impact on the North East with the help of BioScapes

A partnership between leading biodiversity expert, BioScapes®, and believe housing in the North East to boost biodiversity in the area, using a number of its innovative new products, is producing impressive results, just a few months after installation.

BioScapes, based in Seaton Ross, near York, has implemented one of its BioCube® products on the grounds of one of the largest housing associations in the North East of England, as well as other units in three local primary schools, providing a self-contained ecosystem capable of supporting the life of small mammals, amphibians, micro-organisms and invertebrates.

The collaboration is providing a huge boost to rewilding and wildlife conservation, whilst increasing awareness of the important role played by biodiversity both on a local and national level.

The latest ecological survey of a wide range of biodiversity including insects, mammals and amphibians at the main site immediately around the BioCube versus an adjacent landscaped area, found 67 species of invertebrate around the BioCube, compared with only 8 species found in the adjacent landscaped area.

They are utilised as a tool for educating children and adults about biodiversity, whilst also providing an effective solution for businesses seeking to adhere to upcoming biodiversity net gain legislation, due to come into effect in 2023.

Believe housing has also facilitated, in partnership with BioScapes, unit installations at three schools in the region, Oakley Cross Primary School, Bishop Auckland, Brandon Primary School, Durham and Seascape Primary School in Peterlee.

Ruth Dent, director of assets and compliance, believe housing, said: “We recognised some time ago that increasing biodiversity is one of the key areas where a housing association like ours can have a real impact on the environment.

“We saw a great opportunity to trial the BioCube and enhance our local environment. Bumblebees and hoverflies arrived at the BioCubes as soon as we planted them up, so I think it will be a great boost for wildlife.”

Andrea Baxter, environmental manager at believe housing, said: “One of believe housing’s environmental objectives is to support the community with these kinds of initiatives and projects to improve neighbourhoods. By donating these habitats to schools and communities in our area, we can help young people understand the importance of looking after the local environment and encourage to them to get involved.”

Ken Brewster, marketing director of BioScapes, said: “We are proud to partner with believe housing to promote the importance of biodiversity across the North East region and among younger generations. In times of climate change and global warming, it is of significant value to preserve our natural environment for future generations.

“We’re confident that through these initiatives, we are able to lay the foundation to effect real change, both in terms of boosting biodiversity in the short term, as well as impacting the narrative around conservation moving forward.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily