Biodiversity and the environment at Clarendon Homes

Following on from our blog on Sustainability and responsibility last week, this blog will cover our actions towards biodiversity, becoming green, and the environment. Although our technology is fighting to slow down climate change the environment is the best way for us to actively heal our planet.

Here at Clarendon Homes, we have been working to become as environmentally friendly as possible. By promoting wildlife at our developments, we can help the battle to protect and heal our planet!

Trees

Trees remove the excess carbon dioxide (CO2) from our atmosphere and convert it into oxygen (O2). This process is called photosynthesis. But this is only one of many important reasons why trees are vital in our fight against climate change.

Trees are the biggest plants on the planet and help us in many more ways than we could ever know.

• Trees help to prevent floods: They do this by limiting the amount of water entering rivers and streams, therefore limiting the chance of a flood.
• To provide habitats: Over 320 species rely on the oak tree for survival. This number includes insects, small mammals, birds, bats and many more.
• Carbon storage: During Photosynthesis trees absorb carbon in the form of CO2 and use it as food effectively acting as a carbon sink. In 2017 U.S forests alone stored 14% of the annual, national emissions.
• Air filters: The London Plane is a species which is known for its resistance to air pollution. By trapping harmful pollutants on its leaves and bark it helps to remove them from the atmosphere allowing for a higher air quality.
• Shelter and shade: Both humans and animals need shade to protect them from the cold in winter or the heat in summer. It is especially vital in providing shelter to livestock in winter.

Nature Boxes

New build homes are almost impregnable for any animal leaving no space for animals to find a home. Many people see this as good news, but this leaves many species at risk.

Clarendon Homes are invested in providing homes for nature while not bothering the homeowners. Below is a list of the different nature boxes that we will be installing at our Award-winning Cobnut Park Development.

• Swift boxes
• Sparrow boxes
• Owl boxes
• Bat boxes
• Insect boxes.

These boxes will mean that nature has a chance to flourish at our developments.

Wildflower

Our landscaping is aimed towards helping nature thrive. Wildflowers provide food, nectar, pollen, shelter and much more for insects. These insects are vital in the survival of some of our birds, bats and small mammals. During winter these same seeds provide an important source of food for birds.

Wildflower also helps to keep soil healthy. They stabilise soil by spreading their roots.

Hedgerows

Hedgerows are valued as they also help to prevent soil loss and reduce pollution. They can also help to regulate water supply and prevent flooding.

Hedgerows are also important in taking greenhouse gasses out of circulation, working as a carbon store.

Woodpiles

Woodpiles provide a home to many different species including mosses, lichens and fungi and many types of insects. By adding a pile of leaves you can also cater for hibernating toads and hedgehogs!

Due to a tidy countryside and busy towns and cities, some creatures need a place to stay. By having woodpiles at Cobnut Park, we are actively encouraging wildlife to thrive!

Bike sheds

At our Cobnut Park development, we believe it is very important to encourage exercise, fun and some adventure. Biking ticks all these boxes! While being environmentally friendly and actively reducing global warming, using your bike is a great way to look after the environment.

We have decided to install cycle parking outside of our club house, allowing residents to travel wherever they want with safe storage for their bicycle.

If you would like to find out more about our fight against climate change, visit our blog ‘our efforts towards sustainability and responsibility’.

To find out more about what you can do for the environment, visit The Woodland Trust’s ‘Big Climate Fightback‘!

Got any questions or feedback on the blog? Or maybe a topic you would like to be covered in a future blog? Email cameron.hagan@clarendonhomes.co.uk today, I would love to hear from you!