Mini Meadows: decentralising biodiveristy and climate science for everyone

Mini Meadows can act as a method for decentralising biodiversity from nature rich areas to urban centres. This proposal lays out a multi-year project to bring greater biodiversity to an urban centre and act as a repeatable guide for the global community to follow.

We hope that this project inspires and brings together a community of climate activists, botanists and decentralisation enthusiasts alike.

One important distinction to make is that the impact of natural wildflower meadows are just as beneficial for pollinators as planted wildflower meadows for a fraction of the cost. The two projects laid out in this proposal aim to leverage native Irish wildflower plugs (seedlings) to encourage the creation of larger natural wildflower meadows across the community. This aims to empower greater behavioural change from others in the community to create bottom up change.

Problem

The decline of wildflowers has caused many problems in the environment. This includes a decline in pollinator populations due to the lack of diverse and suitable habitats, as well as limited availability of nectar and pollen sources for pollinators. Additionally, erosion and soil degradation have negatively impacted the environment, leading to increased risk of water pollution due to excess nutrients and pollutants in the soil. As wildflowers provide habitats for many different species, the loss of biodiversity and natural beauty in public spaces and landscapes is also a concern. Unfortunately, limited public awareness and education on the importance of pollinators and the benefits of wildflowers exacerbates the issue.

Solution

Planting wildflowers is a simple yet effective solution to the environmental problems caused by the decline of wildflowers. By planting wildflowers, we can provide decentralised, diverse and suitable habitats that support pollinator populations and increase the availability of nectar and pollen sources for them.

Wildflowers also improve soil health by reducing erosion and absorbing excess nutrients and pollutants. Wildflower meadows can sequester 250% more carbon than grass lawns. Whilst even young trees can sequester 2kgs of carbon each annually.

In public spaces and landscapes, planting wildflowers can promote biodiversity and natural beauty while also providing low-maintenance and cost-effective landscaping options.

This can reduce maintenance costs for public lands and roadways, while also improving mental health and well-being by creating green spaces and connecting people to nature. By educating the public on the importance of pollinators and the benefits of wildflowers, we can work together to make a positive impact on the environment and create a sustainable future for ourselves and the planet.

Proposal

The WildflowerProject was created in Dublin Ireland by Ger O’Halloran in late 2021. The project is split up into multiple phases.

Phase 1

The first phase leveraged Ger’s connections in local community groups in West Dublin to plant native Irish wildflower plugs in the local community. Natural wildflower meadows are just as beneficial for pollinators as planted wildflower meadows for a fraction of the cost. The native Irish wildflower plugs would create natural wildflower meadows across the community in a manner that will encourage greater behavioural change from others in the community to drive greater bottom up change.

Native Irish wildflowers were sourced from True Harvest, an Environmental Charity based in Northern Ireland. The project fulfills objectives of the local Biodiversity Action Plan, Local Fingal County Development Plan, National All Ireland Pollinator Plan and UN Sustainable Development Goals; 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities and 13 Climate Action.

Equipment was sourced from donations and personal funds. A mix of wildflowers were selected to ensure a full season of colour. They were germinated in Ger’s house in Cabra, Dublin City.

The project was advertised through a variety of social media channels and through word of mouth. These native Irish wildflower plugs were then transplanted to suburban communities in west Dublin for the benefits discussed above.

Results of Phase 1

Results: 900 wildflower plugs were distributed to 17 Participants enrolled in the initial pilot across 13 areas in the greater Castleknock area.

As in the first phase of any project, there were a lot of lessons learnt. It was found that wildflower plugs needed to be bigger to increase the survivability rate when planted directly into grass margins. Furthermore, it was recognised that the urban environment of Cabra had a far greater need for wildflower meadows to compensate for all the hard landscaping in the community. When the two lessons were combined with a pilot developed parallel in phase 1, the idea of biodiversity in a box was born.

Phase 2: Mini Meadows in a box

The next phase is to create meadows boxes or mini-meadows in a box..

Meadow boxes, also known as wildflower or pollinator boxes, are installed in urban areas to create small habitats for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds. These boxes are usually filled with soil and stocked with native wildflower plugs, providing a source of food and shelter for pollinators who often struggle to find suitable habitats in urban environments. Meadow boxes are also an attractive addition to urban areas, promoting biodiversity and adding to the natural beauty of the cityscape. The selection of wildflowers ensures a whole season of flowering providing food and shelter to pollinators throughout the year.

Additionally, the concept can be expanded to include native trees alongside wildflowers can help improve air quality, reduce the urban heat island effect, and provide a space for people to connect with nature in their everyday lives. The purpose of meadow boxes is to support pollinator populations and promote sustainability in urban areas, contributing to a healthier and more vibrant ecosystem.

Project Plan

Project Overview: The aim of this project is to install meadow boxes throughout the community of Dublin 7, focussing on Cabra, Stoneybatter and Phibsboro area of North Dublin City.

Furthermore, participants will have the opportunity to develop a seed bank so locals can plant more wildflowers inthe community. Larger planters can also serve as trial/pilot phases of more permanent planting schemes with the support of the Local Government Authority who will be engaged as a stakeholder.

Finally, the mini wildflower meadow can also be planted into the ground once established and the participant can use the wildflower seed previously harvested to start a new mini meadow.

This project will support pollinator populations and boost biodiversity, sequester carbon, and enhance the natural beauty of the area. Another benefit is that because this can be completed at the grass roots level, it can enable a community of individuals to work together to further biodiversity and science in a decentralised fashion.

Objectives of Phase 2

• Install 200 meadow boxes in Dublin 7 over the next 6 months

• Source and purchase native wildflower seeds and soil

• Source and purchase planters for wildflowers

• Engage with local businesses, schools, and community groups to promote and support the project

• Provide information and educational materials on the importance of pollinators and the benefits of meadow boxes

• Monitor the impact of the meadow boxes on local pollinator populations and the environment

Timeline:

• Month 1: Source and purchase wildflower seeds and soil; identify suitable locations for meadow box installation

• Month 2-3: Begin installation of meadow boxes throughout Dublin 7; engage with local businesses, schools, and community groups to promote and support the project

• Month 4-5: Provide information and educational materials on the importance of pollinators and the benefits of meadow boxes; monitor the impact of the meadow boxes on local pollinator populations and the environment

• Month 6: Finalize installation of meadow boxes; evaluate project impact and success

Resources:

• Funding for purchase of wildflower seeds, soil, and materials

• Equipment for installation of meadow boxes

• Local volunteers to assist with installation and maintenance of meadow boxes

• Educational materials and information on the importance of pollinators and the benefits of meadow boxes

Project risks and mitigation strategies:

• Risk: Meadows boxes are vandalized or stolen.

• Mitigation strategy: Install security cameras and work with local authorities to increase surveillance in the area.

• Risk: Meadows boxes are not utilized by local residents.

• Mitigation strategy: Conduct outreach to local organizations and residents to promote the Meadows box program and educate them about the benefits of native wildflowers.

Success criteria:

• Installation of Meadows boxes in at least 5 locations across Dublin 7.

• 75% utilization rate of Meadows boxes by local residents

• Positive feedback from local residents and organizations in surveys and focus groups.

Phase 3: Global Domination

The project plan for the rollout of Meadows boxes across Dublin 7 provides a blueprint for a much more expansive rollout across larger geographies. Key learnings from this project can be applied to larger-scale deployments by municipalities, such as establishing a standardized rollout methodology and identifying suitable locations for the boxes. Additionally, feedback from local residents and organizations has informed improvements to the Meadows box program and allows the continuous improvement of the program to be tailored to different communities. By scaling up the project, additional resources and partnerships may be required to ensure the sustainability and success of the program. Regular monitoring and maintenance of the boxes would also be crucial for the continued success of the program. Overall, the project plan for the rollout of Meadows boxes in Dublin 7 provides a solid foundation for future large-scale deployments in other areas and a contribution to decentralised science and biodiversity.

What will the grant be used for?

• Wildflower seeds and soil

• Equipment

• Educational materials

• Outreach and promotion

How can grant funding help?

• $5 Wildflowers for 5 meadow boxes
• $10 Wildflowers for 10 meadow boxes
• $30 Small meadow box planter
• $40 Small meadow box planter and wildflowers
• $50 Large meadow box planter and wildflowers
• $250 Large meadow & tree box planter stocked with native trees and wildflowers