The project allowed us to by pollinator friendly plants for sites supported by some social media campaign. The area has been transformed from a dull grey dumping spot to a colourful, biodversity garden.
https://www.crumlincommunitycleanup.ie/bloomin-crumlin/bcproject/rutland-avenue/
On our social media channels we have been posting content about how people can help pollinators in their gardens. Some sample images are attached.
Also, last week our group planted lots of pollinator-friendly plants in a new green space on Rutland Avenue.
Introduction
Our group Bloomin’ Crumlin (part of Crumlin Community Cleanup) has completed research into the green spaces in the Crumlin area and have mapped, measured and documented each space.
http://www.crumlincommunitycleanup.ie/the-places-we-clean/green-spaces/
Crumlin has a large number of public green spaces but many are sterile green spaces with very little planting for pollinators. We work closely with Dublin City Council parks department on projects through the area and have permission to plant once clear plans can be supplied in advance. We also maintain over 40 planters in the area and aim to add more pollinator friendly plants.
Plan
Our kick-off meeting occurred on 5th November 2021 online. We had asked the team members to visit some of the smaller green spaces in the area in advance of the meeting to nominate areas that would be suitable for planting. Based on previous planting and research in the area, we selected 2 green spaces and some planter boxes that we would focus on for this plan.
We aim to spend the funding on:
· Purchase and placement of pollinator signage.
· Purchase bulbs, plants, seeds and flowers.
· Purchase compost, mulch and some small tools.
Once the items above are bought we will set out a detailed plan of when we will plant through the year. We will also work with the council to look at areas that can be specified as “no mow” spaces. Combined with other planting projects that we had completed and planned for 2022, this would form the basis of the area’s pollinator plan. We have 150 volunteers in our group, and it can be relatively easy to get volunteers on board to help with planting and will assign a volunteer to each space. We have been guided by the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and have been asked to run our selection of plants by DCC Parks department.
Despite COVID restrictions lifting, we still operate in a safe socially distanced manner, sanitise and wear masks.
We have a Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and a newsletter including 900 locals and encourage locals to add pollinator friendly planting and encourage reduced mowing in their own gardens.
