GREENER BOROUGH
@eastleighbc
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Tree nursery continues to grow The Council’s tree nursery at the One Horton Heath development is in full swing. Hundreds of young trees are now growing at the site, as well as dozens of more established trees, soon ready to be planted out into the community. There are also two large polytunnels filled with pots of seedlings. The trees growing at the nursery will go some way to achieving our target of having 160,000 more trees in the Borough by the year 2030. Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Rupert Kyrle, who recently visited the site, said: “Part of our strategy to reduce carbon in our atmosphere is to plant more trees in the Borough. The trees grown in this nursery will also provide habitats for wildlife, clean air, natural scenery, and mental health benefits for residents. “We eventually want to get the community involved in planting out the trees and will engage with schools, community
groups and local businesses, so everyone can be involved in creating a green legacy for generations to come.” Adele Mellor, a Horticulture Apprentice with the Council, has been working at the site. She said: “I am very conscious of the environment, and I want try to do something to help in any way I can. As far as I’m concerned every tree and every seed is a step in the right direction.”
Picture left: Cllr Rupert Kyrle and Horticulture Apprentice Adele Mellor planting at the tree nursery
Create a buzz around the Borough Roadside verges planted with wildflowers Meadows have been planted at 11 Borough sites, including the BMW garage in Chandler’s Ford, Upper Northam Road in Hedge End and Woodside Avenue in Eastleigh. Two different types of seed mix have been used – cornflower and meadow, featuring cowslip, buttercup, daisy and knapweed amongst wildflowers. Wildflower meadows are an important environment for native wildlife, especially pollinators like bees and butterflies. They are also loved by people who enjoy the amazing array of colour they add to the scenery. You don’t need a roadside verge for a wildflower meadow. You could dedicate a patch of land in your garden to get the wildlife and scenic benefits of a meadow on your doorstep. See eastleigh.gov.uk/ wildflowers to find out how to grow your own.
New electric cargo bike hire scheme available A new electric cargo bike hire scheme is now available to businesses and other organisations in Eastleigh to help them reduce air pollution when transporting goods and making local deliveries. A fleet of 10 electric cargo bikes will be available to businesses and educational, charitable, community and voluntary sector organisations. Trialling a RIDES (Realising Innovative Deliveries in Eastleigh and Southampton) ecargo bike is free and organisations can hire them for anything
from a weekend event to a longer trial period of up to three months. The scheme allows organisations to see how using a greener, more sustainable delivery method can work for them, at the same time as reducing congestion and improving air quality in the local area.
Find out more: myjourneyhampshire.com/rides
