Proudly Supporting the CIRIA BIG Biodiversity Challenge

As the leading supplier of Wildflower Turf products in the UK, we are passionate about supporting and encouraging action that promotes and improves biodiversity within the urban environment.
 To this end we’re delighted to announce that, as in previous years, Wildflower Turf Ltd will be the overall prize sponsor at the CIRIA BIG Biodiversity Challenge Awards.  Now in its 5th year, the BIG Biodiversity Challenge invites the construction industry to add at least one new biodiversity enhancement to construction sites, developments or existing buildings.
With 2018 entries drawn from the likes of Skanska, Network Rail and Scottish and Southern Electricity, just to name a few, it is clear that engaging with the biodiversity agenda is of great concern, and indeed importance, to organisations up and down the country.
With voting (http://www.bigchallenge.info/2018-shortlisted-entries) for this year’s BIG Biodiversity Challenge Awards now open, we thought it an opportune time to bring you a brief update on how last year’s overall winners, The RG Group (http://rg-group.co.uk/), utilised their prize.

The RG Group and guests at Brunel House, Bristol. Picture supplied by Paul Groom

The RG Group are construction specialists primarily focussed on the Living Space, Retail and Commercial sectors. Their 2017 winning submission saw them receive 200m² of Wildflower Turf Landscape Turf  (http://bit.ly/2qjfTDy) alongside specialist consultancy from the Wildflower Turf Ltd team and two spaces on our highly acclaimed Accredited Partners Programme. (http://bit.ly/2pNEOQk)
With ecological considerations firmly at the forefront of their minds, the RG Group, in conjunction with Sustainability Consultant, Colorado Goldwyn from EQ Consultancy (http://www.eq-consultancy.co.uk/), used their prize to enhance the environment of a very important urban biodiversity project in Bristol.
Before shot of the site – picture supplied by Paul Groom

Formally offices and now a new Unite Students property, Brunel House in Bristol has been transformed and will house 246 students who will also enjoy a landscape that offers an urban habitat for insects, bees and other wildlife.
Courtyard after – Picture supplied by Paul Groom

As well as the initial prize allocation of 200m² of Wildflower Turf, the scope and requirements of the project was such that the RG Group also added an additional 120m² of Wildflower Turf Landscape Turf  (http://bit.ly/2qjfTDy) and 385m² of Wildflower Turf Species Rich (http://bit.ly/2Q1ndRO) into the landscape design.
Landscaping complete – Picture supplied by Paul Groom

Under the guidance of EQ Consultancy, local wildlife habitats have been protected and extended with the project on track to receive an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating. Colorado introduced the idea of incorporating a wildflower meadow within the landscaping design with a specific focus on assisting the rare Carrot Mining Bee and Small Blue Butterfly. In collaboration with the RSPB  (https://www.rspb.org.uk/a number of other recommended ecological initiatives were also defined and adopted as part of the design.
Bespoke sculpture in grounds – Picture supplied by Paul Groom

The project was very much a collaborative effort and meeting of minds with Olivia Damsell from FPCR Environment and Design Ltd (https://www.fpcr.co.uk/) designing the site and Jon King and his team from East Midlands Landscaping Ltd  (https://www.eastmidlandslandscaping.co.uk/) installing the Wildflower Turf to specification. Likewise, Gill Perkins of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust (https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/) was instrumental in providing assistance to the project team.
It is anticipated that the local student population will benefit, not only from the beautifully landscaped areas that will promote wellbeing and social interaction, but by gaining a sense of responsibility as they become interested in, and involved with, the protection of local wildlife.
Interpretation Board – Picture supplied by Paul Groom

The biodiversity initiatives put in place have also met with much praise with local MP’s (both Species Champions) and community members showing a real interest in the outcome of the landscaping project.
We were ourselves privileged to recently attend the launch of Brunel House and took a tour of the enhanced landscape. Aesthetics aside, the ecological prosperity that a wildflower meadow can bring cannot be understated, and urban biodiversity projects such as this stretch widely to encompass both social and health benefits.
Our Business Development Manager Helen discussing the site with Jon King from East Midlands Landscaping Ltd – picture supplied by Paul Groom

For further information on the CIRIA BIG Biodiversity Challenge Awards, and to cast your vote (http://www.bigchallenge.info/2018-shortlisted-entries) visit (http://www.bigchallenge.info/)
“It was wonderful to have the opportunity to work with the Wildflower Turf Ltd team on the Brunel House project.  The combination of Wildflower Turf Landscape Turf and Species Rich Turf pulled the landscaping scheme together beautifully and allowed for a flow of biodiversity throughout the differing levels of the landscape design. Wildflower Turf Ltd were very knowledgeable and helpful, contributing proposals and ideas as to how to enable the best biodiversity and the team readily made themselves available for consultation throughout the lifespan of the project. I would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the Wildflower Turf Ltd team in the future.”
Colorado Goldwyn
Sustainability Consultant
EQ Consultancy