Town and village greens, ponds, woodlands and churchyards all play an important role in linking habitat to create a network of communities working together for nature in Suffolk. Even the smallest of actions can have a big impact.
Across Suffolk we have a wonderful network of community groups taking inspiring action for nature.
Ant lion pits at Foxburrow – Ben McFarland
Playford Youth Group protects antlion larvae
One of the communities we’ve been in touch with has recently shared how some young people in the village (aged 10-14) discovered a colony of antlions, a small flying insect with larvae that form pits in sandy soil to trap prey, just outside the village hall.
Appreciating what they had found, the young nature spotters helped to protect the area by putting up a fence and poster to alert people to the precious habitat and prevent trampling.
Adult Antlions (Euroleon nostras) look like a cross between a lacewing and a dragonfly, their larva dig distinctive conical pits in soft sand to trap ants, woodlice and other invertebrates.
Monitoring of these illusive creatures has been hampered by the fact that they are rarely seen. The adult emerges in late summer and within about a month the female mates and lays eggs. The larvae themselves remain hidden beneath the sand, waiting expectantly for any unsuspecting prey to tumble into their pit.
Antlions were believed to be confined to very few locations in the Suffolk Sandlings, however, as awareness grows more sites are being recorded – not least, now, in Playford! And, also at the Suffolk Wildlife Trust Foxburrow nature reserve.
After planting the meadow in Autumn, wildflower blossom started to emerge the following Spring. Image credit: Image Copyright / Fiona Sunners, Lancashire Wildlife Trust
St Edmund's Church Wilder Communities action
A representative of St Edmunds Church in Southwold came along to the Wilder Communities’ Churchyard Management Course hosted by Cathy and Graham, our Conservation Advisers, in June to find out how they could best manage their church grounds to help benefit wildlife.
The church's team have since created a display, featuring Suffolk Wildlife Trust materials, in the church to communicate their work and vision for the churchyard. We have also visited since then with tailored advice to suit the churchyard and it's habitats. Our Engagement Team are also due to run a family activity with the church later in the year.
It's wonderful for the community at St Edmund's church to take meaningful steps towards making their churchyard and haven for wildlife and people.
If you’d like to discuss working with our Engagement Team to help support your own community engagement or would like an initial Conservation Advisory visit to help you manage your churchyard for wildlife, we’d love to hear from you.
