Neighbourhood building in Radzików

Initiative: "Neighbourhood building".
Originator: "Rainbow Radzików" Association
Location: Radzików, housing estate
Implementation date: 09/2015-12/2015

Description of the problem encountered: There are more than 50 species of birds in Radzików. Their breeding sites are being degraded due to, among other things, the management of public green spaces - lack of natural hollows and shrubbery, insulation of buildings and change of use of allotment gardens. The preservation of such biodiversity requires immediate action both at the level of active protection and education of residents.

Activities:

• organising a family picnic on the Radzików estate for the residents of the estate, local entrepreneurs and representatives of the local government;
• assembling and hanging up nesting boxes for local birds;
• organisation of a "Bird stand" where it will be possible to talk to ornithologists during the picnic;
• a workshop with tools, where visitors will be able to assemble their own nest box and protect it with a wood preservative;
• a painting stand with brushes and various coloured paints;
• organising an art competition for the prettiest birdhouse;
• organising a competition for the fastest assembled birdhouse;
• a walk with an ornithologist in the Radzików housing estate;
• hanging signs informing about the type of birdhouse and potential bird inhabitants.

Planned results: The initiative aimed to increase environmental awareness and direct involvement in the workshops contributed to the integration of the local community. In addition, the plaques hung under the boxes created a mini-educational path that can become an attraction during walks. Through the activities carried out, the number of nesting sites was increased.

The "Neighbourhood Budding" initiative of the "Tęcza Radzików" Association is implemented as part of the project "Local ecological civic initiatives - together for the environment" of the Foundation for the Development of Polish Agriculture and funded by the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.

RESULTS OF PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

On 19 September 2015, the "Rainbow Radzików" Association planned an event called "Neighbourhood Budding in Radzików", which had the character of an educational picnic for whole families.

 

The event was well attended by Radzików residents. Numerous educational and artistic attractions were prepared for them.

Workshops with ornithologists took place, during which different bird species, types of nests and their building material were presented. Suitable nest boxes were selected for the various bird species. Everyone could ask the experts questions.

Birdhouses were assembled together under the guidance of experts. A total of 120 nesting boxes were assembled.

There was also a competition to make the prettiest box. The competition was well attended. The winners were awarded with publications about birds :)

After the boxes were made, a walk with an ornithologist took place. Participants hung up their boxes in the neighbourhood, often placing them in trees close to where they lived. Information signs were placed under the boxes, informing about the type of box and the species that will inhabit it.

Around 100 people took part in the event. The project was very well received by the residents.