Helping Nature Flourish

Native trees recently planted at Lowry Court, south Belfast

Letting Nature In

Alpha Housing is determined to help reverse the decline in wildlife by creating nature-friendly gardens. Many of our tenants are concerned by the degradation of the natural world. They want to help nature bounce back so their children and grandchildren can inherit a decent local environment and liveable planet.

In response, Alpha has committed to manage our sites in an more nature-friendly way. ‘No Mow’ zones have been established at most of our schemes. Throughout the summer months, these are not cut, allowing wildflowers to grow, supporting pollinating insects. According to conservation charity Plantlife, simple changes in mowing can result in enough nectar for ten times more bees and other pollinators. Alpha is also planning to plant hundreds of native trees across our sites. This work started in December 2020 when a small silver birch wood was planted at Lowry Court in south Belfast.

Tenants are leading this agenda. For example, the Wildlife Group at Montgomery Manor in Bangor has started to transform the scheme grounds. Bird boxes have been installed, along with a bat box, insect shelters, a hedgehog shelter, and log piles, attracting many species of bird and insects. ‘No Mow’ areas have seen a proliferation of wildflowers, including several types of orchid.

Victor Allister, Chair, Montgomery Wildlife Group

Alpha Backs Ulster Wildlife to Let Nature In

In April 2021, Alpha joined Ulster Wildlife’s ‘Let Nature In’ campaign. Vickie Chambers, Supporter Relationship Manager at Ulster Wildlife, said:

"We need to use every single space to help wildlife. Our gardens can become part of a wild network, creating vital green corridors and stepping stones that connect to larger wild spaces. The simple cost-effective steps being taken here at Montgomery in Bangor and across Alpha’s sites can have a big impact for nature."