People’s Park for Nature in Local News
The following article appears in the latest issue of the Lewesian magazine, introducing People’s Park for Nature, how we started and what we do - read on below:
People’s Park for Nature – Wilding Lewes to Support a New, Nature-based Economy
The People’s Park for Nature was born just over a year ago, the feathery offspring of a group living in and around Lewes. Some of us were already making our living off the land, others in unrelated lines of work – but we all came together from a shared love of nature and the Sussex landscape we call home.
We have three simple aims with the Park - to revive and restore nature, to build nature connection and to support local, nature-based businesses in the process. Anyone and everyone in Lewes and beyond can be a member for free. All that’s needed first is to agree to our charter - a simple promise to support those three missions.
From the owner of Lewes’ smallest garden, to its tiniest allotment holder – not forgetting beehive, bird- or even window box keepers everywhere – our Park needs you.
Once you’ve signed up, Bob’s your uncle. You’re part of a bigger, wilder network of ‘Mini Parks’ across the Lower Ouse Valley.
From small to quite large, all are welcome. Who knows, we might even let Sussex’s biggest landowners join in one day. But only if we can work out who they are first.
Supporting Local Livelihoods
How about the Park’s aim of supporting local businesses and community initiatives?
This is where our Wild Advisors come in: everyone from rewilding and nature restoration folks to community growing and nature-based living experts, specialists in outdoor learning, wellbeing – and many more besides. All offering their help and advice for free.
As our network of people and places grows, so do opportunities for meaningful work that support both people and wildlife across the Lower Ouse Valley. Our members and Wild Advisors are exploring new ideas right now — everything from coppicing and shepherding to biochar, wildflower seed production, and street-side food growing.
And in just a year, our citizen scientists have recorded 75 bird species, 9 bat species, and countless hedgehogs, foxes, badgers, and insect pollinators across our Mini Parks.
Members have installed bird boxes, insect hotels, log piles, ponds and amphibian shelters, ensuring wildlife not only visits the Park - but thrives within it. Through these small yet powerful actions, we’re creating a landscape where nature’s recovery is woven into the rhythm of community life.
In our second year of life in the Lower Ouse, we’re also starting to explore collaborating with like-minded local businesses for mutual benefit. We particularly welcome ideas around experiences to develop happenings that can help people rediscover a love and closeness to nature right on their doorstep.
In summary, we welcome all and everyone in Lewes and beyond to join our Park.
For a wilder future. For shared prosperity. For hope and community, in harmony with nature.
