On Blackpool Sands Beach, if you know where to look, you will find a secret treasure. Beneath the cliffs, overlooking the sparkling sea, a beautiful coastal wildflower habitat is waiting for you to discover its gems. Wild carrot, vipers bugloss, sea campion and kidney vetch are among a growing diversity of plants that have clung on, and are being encouraged to thrive here.
Blackpool Sands is just one of a growing community of businesses committed to putting the natural world much higher up the agenda, all of them inspired by BeWild to champion local biodiversity and spark a wilder conversation. BeWild is the creation of local naturalist and trailblazer Victoria Benns, who founded Wild About Nature, a website and blog that encourages us all to reconnect with the natural world. Through this adventure Victoria became aware of the vital need to engage a much wider audience with the natural world that surrounds us.
The fight against plastic, the focus on carbon footprints and the need to reduce, reuse and recycle have become part of our everyday lives, but our rapidly declining local biodiversity is now an immediate concern for communities. Statistics from the State of Nature Report 2023 underscore the severity of the situation, with alarming numbers of species at risk. Birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects all face significant threats. In a time where rapid species extinction threatens our ecosystems, BeWild recognises the need for positive action and has created a way for businesses to contribute to reversing this trend. Every business, regardless of size or outside space can engage in an inspiring project that will benefit wildlife, business and communities.
Family business Eleven Clothing have chosen to support the Painted Lady butterfly. Leaving parts of their home garden to become more wild, and growing its food plants will support this fascinating butterfly, and celebrating the family’s efforts within their community will spark a wild conversation. As more businesses get on board, inspiring their customers and the community to embrace nature in their lives, imagine the positive change we could foster.
Jo Jamieson is as passionate about wildlife as she is education, and her Swim School students are in for a real treat. Together with BeWild, Jo is creating a series of beautiful and inspiring postcards for her pupils to collect, designed to ignite their interest in the wonders of the wild and foster a new generation of nature enthusiasts.
It’s not just businesses who are drawn to the project. BeWild has attracted the attention and support of eminent naturalists, wildlife projects and a growing group of supportive individuals and willing volunteers. Photographer Claire Gillo, has generously contributed her time and talent, capturing the essence of BeWild and helping to raise awareness and draw more supporters to the cause.
BeWild is a call to action. It is a growing community of businesses and individuals all trailblazing a path toward a more biodiverse and nature-focussed future, generating a wide reaching and hugely important conversation. And as positive actions and conversations grow the local area will not only be improved for wildlife but inevitably become a magnet for nature loving visitors, which is great for business, wildlife and the community.
Written for By The Dart magazine, August 2024.