Whiteshill and Ruscombe Biodiversity Action is a group of 20+ committed enthusiasts which was formed at the instigation of the Parish Council in April 2024. The group reports to the Parish Council monthly.
The group meets monthly and has three aims
- Action to protect and improve biodiversity in our parish
- Raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity in our community
- Encourage an appreciation of natural world
To date, we have focused on mapping and recording biodiversity in our parish, promoting Butterfly Conservation’s Wild Spaces scheme (2025 focus) and a swift project (2026).
The Wild Spaces scheme has been highly successful with 24 gardens and 4 public spaces now registered, more than 0.5% of all the registrations in England located in two small Gloucestershire villages.
The following public spaces have been registered
- The wildflower bank and orchard in the playing field
- The village green
- St Paul’s churchyard
- Ruscombe Chapel graveyard
Our swift project aims to both halt the decline of the population and, more ambitiously, to raise numbers. A Stroud District Council Nature and Climate Grant was awarded to the Parish Council. This allowed the purchase and installation of twelve nest boxes in the parish, each fitted with electronic callers to attract swifts flying nearby. We hope that these will attract nesting pairs in 2027.
Our main focus in 2027 will be on a hedgehog project. Please watch this space.
If you are interested in joining our group, please contact Nigel Pitel by email.