Staff from Alpha Housing NI have had the chance to learn more about biodiversity, and the ways they can improve sustainability at their sites, from Niche Environmental Services’ Director, Dominic Knower.
During his recent visit to Northern Ireland, Dominic – who has previously worked with Premier League side Manchester City Football Club – spent time at the Montgomery Court scheme in Bangor.
Dominic used the opportunity to share ideas around ecology, landscaping, and grounds maintenance with Victor Allister – a tenant of Montgomery Court for the past seven years, and the current Chairman of Montgomery Court’s Wildlife Group.
Financially assisted by Alpha Housing NI, additions to the outside of the Donaghadee Road building include several large planters that provide some 160 square feet of pollinator-friendly flowers.
This is the result of tenant intervention, manipulating the landscape and complementing what is already here
Dominic Knower, Director, Niche Environmental Services
Tree planting, that includes Canadian maple and a Korean blue-coned fir, provides a safe and welcoming environment for bugs, butterflies and hedgehogs. Strategically positioned bug hotels are joined within the grounds by boxes that are now home to nesting birds.
Praising the on-going efforts of tenants, Cameron Watt – the CEO of Alpha Housing NI – said: “Housing Associations are always looking at ways to engage tenants, and working together to support wildlife and help nature recover is a great way to do that.”