Our Splash of Colour project has got off to a good start this year. Our team has been busy increasing the size of each planting strip and have sown wildflower seeds. You can see them on grass verges around Framlingham. Last year germination was severely hampered by drought, but so far there has been sufficient rain. We are looking forward to some lovely colourful verges, and especially a hum of insects. After all, this is what it’s all about!
Bugs Matter surveys reveal that the number of flying insects have fallen by a staggering 78% since 2004. These losses have a huge impact on biodiversity and also threaten food production through reduced crop pollination. The abundance of flying insects are sampled by citizen scientists who record the number of splats found on charts attached to their car number plates – simple but effective!
See how their citizen science projects work:
If you see rather untidy areas of public grass this month, just think of the benefit to insects. It’s a county wide “No Mow May” project.
Greener Fram has also supported a tree planting group in Castle Brooks – only six fruit trees so far, but this is the beginning of a small copse of fruit and native trees on a little used part of the green. Successful flowering and green shoots on all trees.
Thanks for grant funding – to Vince, our District Councillor for Framlingham, which has enabled us to buy some much needed equipment for events and projects – a gazebo, tables, thermal imaging camera, display boards, hi viz jackets and wildflower seeds etc.
Thanks also to Fram Town Council for funds to book Castle Community Rooms for our Climate Day film screening event “The Peoples Emergency Briefing” – more on that next month…
