Our new Nextdoor Nature project, which is generously supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, is emerging gently from the seeds of Urban Green as we meet new communities in Dorset’s urban settings. We are engaging in conversations, inspiring, explaining, but most of all we are listening. Listening to what is important to those communities, what they are interested in now, and what might inspire them further to develop a deeper love for nature. Our overarching remit is simple; to protect nature and increase biodiversity. But it will take time and patience to build resilience, and a positive outlook in a climate of fragility.

There are positive rumblings on the horizon. Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole Council is committed to establishing Vibrant Communities, with new staff in place leading the way in community organising. We are all communicating; the old silo models aren’t working. Covid-19 has taught us that we need to work together and uitilise all of our skills all of the time, deepening our understanding of communities and not imposing our will because we think it is right. We are learning to listen.

Poole Town Community Garden is being resurrected from an urban desert and will soon provide a haven once more for communities living in tower blocks, communities who want to grow a little food, who love watching hedgehogs and foxes and would like somewhere to sit amongst nature in an otherwise concrete landscape.

BH15 Grow Together around the corner provides a successful example of a neighbourhood tired of looking at grassed verges. Nextdoor Nature is looking to replicate this to provide steppingstones for wildlife and people to connect with.