Information boards to help people identify local wildlife have been installed at railway stations across Essex and South Suffolk.
The bee and butterfly identification boards have been installed by the Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership (CRP) following a grant from train operator Greater Anglia’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund.
The £500 project has seen the wildlife information boards installed at 15 stations: Alresford, Battlesbridge, Bures, Burnham on Crouch, Chappel and Wakes Colne, Cressing, Great Bentley, Hatfield Peveral, Hockley, Rayleigh, Rochford, South Woodham Ferrers, Sudbury, Walton-on-the-Naze and Weeley.
Each station features a wildlife garden or pollinator friendly planters which are cared for by ‘station adopter’ community volunteers, making them a good place to spot and identify different species of bees and butterflies.
Rail stations in East Anglia are increasingly becoming havens for local wildlife thanks to the efforts of over 335 volunteers who have transformed over 10,000 square metres of land into thriving wildlife gardens.
Jayne Sumner, Essex & South Suffolk CRP’s rail engagement officer, said: “Over the years wonderful wildlife friendly gardens have developed at many rail stations in Essex thanks to the work of volunteers and our long-term partnership with the Bee Friendly Trust – so that now they are a real haven for lots of different types of wildlife.
“With many habitats under threat, we’re really proud of these mini havens that help to provide food, shelter and breeding places for wildlife, including bees and butterflies.
“People are welcome to visit one of these lovely stations, enjoy the gardens and see which bees and butterflies come to visit.”
Scott Dolling, Greater Anglia’s partnerships manager, said: “We were pleased to support this initiative which highlights the great work being done to support pollinators and other wildlife thanks to the amazing work of the CRPs and station adopter volunteers across our network.
“We are always looking to enhance the role of the railway in support of the community it serves, and our new Customer and Community Improvement Fund is a way of supporting further locally focused enhancements in line with community needs.”
Learn more about Greater Anglia’s work in the community here.
Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from Essex & South Suffolk CRP via their website.
