A Community United for Wildlife
Since launching in early 2016, the Felixstowe Community Nature Reserve has brought together over 2970 gardens across the town, creating a remarkable network of wildlife-friendly spaces. This pilot project demonstrates what's possible when communities come together with a shared vision: to give nature a home in every garden.
Why Gardens Matter
Gardens cover more area in the UK than all our nature reserves combined. Yet many remain sterile, offering little to wildlife. The Felixstowe pilot proves that small changes—a log pile here, wildflowers there, a hedgehog highway through a fence—can transform entire neighbourhoods into thriving ecosystems.
Hedgehog Highways
One of our most successful initiatives has been the creation of hedgehog highways. By cutting small gaps (13cm x 13cm) at the base of fences and walls, residents have connected gardens across Felixstowe, allowing hedgehogs to roam freely in search of food and mates. This simple action addresses habitat fragmentation, one of the biggest threats to Britain's declining hedgehog population.
Local resident Sarah Thompson reports: "We've seen hedgehogs in our garden three times this month. Before joining the reserve, we'd never seen one. It's magical knowing we're part of something bigger."
Pollinator Pathways
Felixstowe gardens are now buzzing with life. Participants have planted over 15,000 pollinator-friendly plants, creating nectar corridors that support bees, butterflies, and hoverflies throughout the seasons. Native species like lavender, foxgloves, and wildflower meadows have replaced sterile lawns, providing food from early spring through late autumn.
The impact is measurable: local beekeepers report healthier colonies, and butterfly counts are up 40% compared to last year.
Bird-Friendly Gardens
Robins, blue tits, goldfinches, and blackbirds are thriving in Felixstowe's reserve. Residents have installed nest boxes, bird baths, and native berry-producing shrubs. Many have adopted a "leave the leaves" approach in autumn, providing vital foraging grounds for ground-feeding birds.
What We've Learned
The Felixstowe pilot has taught us several key lessons:
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Community engagement is everything - Regular workshops, garden visits, and social media updates keep participants motivated and connected.
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Small actions scale - Individual gardens may be modest, but 970 gardens acting together create landscape-level change.
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Wildlife responds quickly - Within months of the pilot launching, residents reported increased sightings of hedgehogs, bees, and birds.
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It's accessible to everyone - You don't need a large garden or expertise. Simple, low-cost actions make a real difference.
Join the Movement
The success of Felixstowe demonstrates that community-led conservation works. We're now expanding to new towns across the UK, creating a national network of Community Nature Reserves.
Whether you have a balcony, a small yard, or acres of land, you can contribute. Every wildlife-friendly space matters. Every garden counts.
Ready to transform your garden into a wildlife haven?
About the Author
Luke Smout is a PR and marketing specialist with a strong interest in grassroots conservation and community-led environmental initiatives. He supports local nature projects through strategic communications, public engagement and storytelling, helping communities understand how small, practical actions can deliver meaningful environmental change. Luke believes effective conservation begins locally, driven by people, place and long-term commitment.