The Eden Project has launched a new company called the Wildflower Bank to tackle the UK’s biodiversity crisis.
The Wildflower Bank aims to create wildflower-rich grassland habitats across the country through the creation of biodiversity net gain units, a way of measuring an increase in biodiversity via habitat formation or enhancement.
The new initiative will conserve, manage and enhance habitats to increase biodiversity for a minimum of 30 years, Eden said in a statement.
The company will work alongside landowners, organisations and businesses looking to invest in a positive gain for nature.
Eden’s move comes ahead of the implementation of government legislation in January 2024 that will mandate developers to achieve at least a 10 percent biodiversity net gain on almost all developments in England seeking planning permission.
The Wildflower Bank will also create a series of seed hubs across the country in order to harvest, clean, store and distribute wildflower seeds.
Per a press release, wildflower-rich habitats in the UK have been affected by habitat loss, with an estimated 97 percent reduction in wildflower meadows since WW2.
Biodiversity net gain units
Eden’s development director, Dan James, said: “We know that the nature crisis is at the heart of the planetary emergency. If we cannot increase the level of biodiversity of our landscapes and support nature recovery, we will not be able to reverse the impact of climate change.”
“As one of the UK’s leading environmental charities, it is important that the Eden Project leads the way in supporting habitat creation and restoration. The Eden Project Wildflower Bank offers an exciting route for us to help make that happen,” he added.
The Eden Project Wildflower Bank is now seeking landowners to help grow a network of wildflower habitats and support wildflower seed production.
Images courtesy of the Eden Project
