About the event

Community Connectivity

10.30am Arrive & refreshments

10.45am Introduction to community connectivity

11.00am Wildlife gardening

• Wilder Garden Champions Steve and Jane Page talk about the discoveries, delights and dilemmas they encounter as they make more space for nature in their garden. Not a ‘how to’ talk about wildlife gardening, this is their real life account of some of the joys and challenges experienced on the way.

12pm Embrace the weeds: pollinators & common plants

• Susan Simmonds Community Ecologist talks about some of our more common plants that provide everything that our insects need. Attracting more pollinators doesn't necessarily mean spending money on wildflower seed but instead we may simply need to embrace the weeds.

12.30pm Walk - look at climate & wildlife garden & lunch

1.30pm Tree Guardians and Scarecrows: community engagement to fit your context

• Jill Doubleday Wilder Communities Officer outlines two community engagement initiatives in Southampton, and the reasons for their success.

2.15pm Community consultation & listening activities

• We will set up a few different listening activities to demonstrate how they might work with your communities. This will also be an opportunity to network with other people.

3.00pm Finish

Please bring a packed lunch and if you are coming with other members of your community please car share where possible. We are expecting around 30 people and there will be quiet spaces available. The wildlife garden is next to the education centre for eacy access.

How to find us

Testwood Lakes is located off Brunel Rd in Totton. Type Testwood Lakes for Sat Nav rather than using postcode. The education centre is beyond the main car park and sailing centre. There is free car and bicycle parking.

RAIL: Totton station is 1½ miles from the reserve with trains from Southampton. BUS: Bluestar No. 12 runs every half hour from Southampton calling at Testwood Crescent which is ½ mile from the reserve. Wilts & Dorset  X7 runs hourly from Southampton to Testwood Crescent. Allow 20 -30mins to walk.