Councillors have commended the efforts of countryside officers and volunteers in preserving Portsmouth's natural environment and wildlife.
The council’s countryside team works closely with residents, community groups, and schools, encouraging them to participate in projects.
At a council meeting this week, members reviewed a report highlighting the team's achievements over the past year.
It was revealed that volunteers contributed over 11,000 hours of their time, equating to nearly seven additional full-time staff members.
Councillor Lee Hunt, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Leisure & Sport, said: “The work our countryside team do is vital to the city’s vision to be a green and healthy city by 2040, and for the council’s commitment of protecting and enhancing our natural environment.
“I’d like to say a special thanks to all of the volunteers for putting in so many hours, which enables so much more to be achieved.
“By engaging with our local communities and schoolchildren, we’re encouraging people and the next generations to take care of their precious green spaces and the nature that thrives there.”
Volunteers in Portsmouth have been actively working on a variety of conservation projects to protect and enhance the city’s key natural areas:
Portsdown Hill
- Managing 55 hectares of land designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
- Protecting habitats for diverse species, including butterflies, ladybirds, bees, amphibians, mammals, and flowering plants.
Baffins Pond
- Collaborating with community groups to preserve the pond’s delicate ecosystem and surrounding marshland.
- Managing a protected area at Tangiers Field for wintering brent geese.
Milton Common
- Reclaiming grassland that supports 140 bird species.
- Implementing a relaxed mowing strategy, creating 5,000 square meters of wet meadow near Eastern Road.
- Treating invasive Japanese knotweed at Milton Common and Great Salterns.
Hilsea Lines
- Managing 4-5 hectares of woodland affected by Dutch elm disease in this urban conservation area.
- Supporting a diverse range of wildlife while creating new public pathways for visitors.
Inner-City Green Spaces
- Connecting green areas such as Stamshaw Park, Alexandra Park, and Victoria Park to allow wildlife to move freely between them.
- Enhancing urban biodiversity and creating vibrant spaces for both people and wildlife.
Community Outreach
- Educating children about nature through outreach initiatives, including events like the successful "Swans on Canoe Lake" family day.
These efforts not only support local wildlife but also help foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of the environment within the community.
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