Our volunteers improve floating wildlife habitat in Shipley

We've enhanced the floating ecosystem at the old Bradford Canal basin (near Stone Arch Bridge), to help attract more birds, insects, and aquatic wildlife to Shipley.

Volunteers from our Garden Party: Leeds & Liverpool East Horticultural Team, installed coir rolls planted with a variety of species that support pollinators and other native wildlife. Building on the existing bog garden, the volunteers have further enhanced this section of disused canal and created important wildlife habitats along the water’s edge. Volunteers will also continue to care for the bog garden and the nearby raised beds to ensure the area thrives year-round.

Alice Quinn, our volunteer leader, said: “As a charity we’re so grateful to Shipley Town Council money to help us provide valuable habitats for wildlife and make the canal basin a more attractive place for the local community to visit and enjoy.”

Rachel Clapham, our lead volunteer helps coordinate our Garden Party: Leeds & Liverpool East Horticultural Team. She added: “It’s great to see how even small interventions like this can make a big difference to local biodiversity - we’ve already spotted a kingfisher, dragonflies and frogs enjoying the bog. We’re always looking for more people to help. If you like being outdoors, enjoy being by water and want to make a difference then we’d love to hear from you.”