The idea
Community Bio Blitz; this is an intense period of biological surveying to record all the living species, flora and fauna, at Lindengate. We are inviting groups of scientists, naturalists, conservation groups, volunteers, RAF Cadets, members of the community, schools and businesses to help us conduct an intensive field study over a continuous time period of 24 hours on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th June 2020. We will set overnight traps such as moth traps, small mammal traps and possibly bottle traps for newts, organise a bat survey and set up a moth sheet. Lindengate plans to capture statistics about breeding birds, amphibians and botany and are keen to build links with more conservation and recording groups for the future and hopefully begin regular surveys going forward. On Saturday 6th June we will set up other surveys including bird
What we'll deliver
- Community BioBlitz 2020 will raise awareness of Lindengate Mental Health Charity
- Help us work with local and national conservation groups to save indigenous trees and plants for the community in Bucks
- Recording for BMERC (Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre) who collect biodiversity/geology data
Why it's a great idea
A healthy site will secure our future in mental health at a time when demand in increasing due to "social prescribing" by local Doctors. A healthy site will help us to continue to support these initiatives.Future proofing our 5 acre gardens, are pivotal in supporting people with mental health needs through their journey to recovery. By understanding what biodiversity is on site, we will introduce new plants and species to further strengthen our natural connection to the site. Social and Therapeutic Horticulture relies totally on a healthy therapy garden for our 120 service users a week. Our conservation work to save the endangered Black Poplar tree (indigenous to Bucks) is vital for the community and the UK. We have 80% of the cloned UK stock on site. These will be planted at Kingsbrook Estate, Aylesbury to create the largest Black Poplar forest in Europe. All the trees will come from Lindengate. Our community nature reserve will support education of local school children.
Steps to get it done
- To future proof our gardens so we can support more people with mental health needs in Buckinghamshire
- To work with the community to save more indigenous trees and plants in Buckinghamshire
- Develop our nature reserve so this community space will serve school children to learn about nature and its benefits
We are proud that the following conservation and naturalist groups are supporting Lindengate Mental Health Charity Community BioBlitz. They will be on site during the BioBlitz and they will be advertising the event through their supporters.
Butterfly Conservation
Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre (BMERC)
MBBKA
Bumblebee Conservation Trust
Buckinghamshire Amphibian and Reptile Group (Bucks ARG)
Bucks Invertebrate Group (BIG)
BBOWT (Bucks Berks & Oxon Wildlife Trust)
Chiltern Society
RSPB Otmoor Nature Reserve
North Bucks Bat Groups
Midshires Orchard Group
Bucks Bird Club
Buckinghamshire Badger Group
Bucks Owl and Raptor Group
Vale Countryside Volunteers
Chiltern ANOB
Chalk Cherries and Chairs/Chiltern Conservation Board
