Hello Everyone,
In 2022, I had this grand idea: Rewild Rainford.
I put the call out on Facebook, and to my delight, a wave of people wanted to help. But, as with all ambitious plans, there were bumps along the way.
At first I was so excited as I had managed to get in touch with a big important and world famous environmental project. For ease of writing and to not cause any distress to them, I’m going to call them “EVE.” Everyone seemed enthusiastic about making my home village a little haven for nature. I was in talks with lots of land owners in the area, we were working out the logistics of harvesting and drying out the seeds of rare native wildflowers, it seemed to all be going swimmingly.
Unfortunately by the end of the year, talks with EVE fizzled out when we realised that there had been a massive misunderstanding and we both thought the other was going to fund this rewilding initiative. It was frustrating to see such a big vision slip away, but that doesn’t mean our efforts were wasted.
In fact, some real positives came out of it:
The "Rainford in Bloom" group introduced a dedicated rewilding section to their numbers.
Schools and businesses took matters into their own hands, planting wildflower seeds on their grounds.
Bird boxes went up all over the village, giving local wildlife much-needed nesting spaces.
These smaller victories showed that people in Rainford care about nature—they just need the right opportunities to get involved.
They say, if something is important, you don’t give up!
And I haven’t.
This time around, I’m not relying on private companies—I’m putting my faith in us incredible Rainfordians! (And if you’re reading this from outside Rainford, congratulations, you’re now an Honorary Rainfordian as long as you’re helping your local wildlife!)
So, with this call to arms in blog form, let’s talk about how we can bring nature back to our village.
A Fresh Start: Rewilding Rainford 2.0
After a two-year break (during which I became a father!), I’m ready to restart the Rewilding Rainford initiative. But this time, I don’t want it to be a solo effort. One person with a tired, pickled brain can only do so much!
This is where you come in. Whether you’re a gardener, a business owner, a teacher, a student, or just someone who loves nature, we need more hands, more ideas, and more passion to make this work.
The dream of turning Rainford into a thriving nature sanctuary is still alive, but it needs a community effort. With more people involved, we can plant more wildflowers, create more habitats, and make a real, lasting impact on local biodiversity.
Finding the Right Land
In 2022, generous landowners offered up acres for wildflower meadows. Unfortunately, I had to turn many down because of the harvesting methods used by EVE, which had a small combine style harvester, couldn't fit most places. But this year is different. There’s no combine harvester involved—just me, you, and whoever else fancies getting their hands dirty. All we need is a gate big enough to fit eco warriors through and a kettle for brews.
If you know someone with a patch of land (big or small) that could be transformed into a wildflower haven in the Rainford area, put me in touch! I’d love to help turn it into something buzzing with life. And if you're a landowner yourself, imagine the joy of watching your own patch of land come alive with bees, butterflies, and birds, all thanks to a little rewilding.
My email is mysttreecider@gmail.com either contact me using that or through my plethora of social media accounts.
We Need People! Lots of People!
Rainford is a big place, and I’m just one person. I need all hands on deck. Whether you’re a gardener, a schoolteacher, a business owner, or just someone who loves nature, we need you!
This year, I’m setting up a Rainford’s Rewilders Facebook Group where we can coordinate efforts, share ideas, and organise planting days. If you’ve ever wanted to get involved but weren’t sure how—this is your chance!
We’ll need people to help prepare the land, plant wildflower seeds, maintain green spaces, and even just spread the word. Plus, we’ll be organising a few fun social events (because let’s be honest, nature and pints go well together).
Seeds & Funding: Making It Happen
Every year, I donate seed packets to local children so they can spread wildflowers on their walks around the village. I also use money from my honey sales to plant trees and put up bird boxes all over Rainford. It’s something I love doing, but unfortunately, it’s not enough to make the big impact I’m aiming for. If we want to truly transform our village into a thriving nature haven, we need to do more.
This year, I’m asking local businesses, schools, and groups to help by sponsoring hives. The money raised will go into Rainford’s rewilding efforts—more sponsors = more wildflowers = more biodiversity!
But we don’t have to stop there! I’d love to organise fundraising events to help fund even more planting—maybe raffles, fun competitions, or even a village-wide nature challenge. If you have fundraising ideas or know someone who could help with sponsorship, let’s make it happen together.
Every donation, no matter how small, helps us buy more seeds, plant more trees, and create more habitats for local wildlife. If we all pitch in, we can make Rainford bloom like never before!
Wildflower Meadows Need Care Too!
Planting wildflowers isn’t just a one-time job—it takes a bit of upkeep. We’ll need volunteers to help with light maintenance, like clearing invasive species and making sure the meadows don’t get swallowed by brambles. The goal is to keep them thriving without too much interference—just enough to give nature a helping hand.
If you’re someone who enjoys getting out in nature and doesn’t mind a bit of physical work, this could be the perfect way to get involved.
Animal Abodes: More Than Just Flowers
Wildflowers are great, but let’s not forget the critters that need homes, too. In 2022, we got loads of bird boxes installed along the “Linear” woods (many of which I donated), and I’d love to see even more this time around.
If you fancy building hedgehog houses, bird & bat boxes, or bug hotels, let’s make it happen! The more little hideouts we create, the more wildlife we’ll attract. Whether you’re handy with a hammer or just keen to donate materials, every bit of effort helps.
Want to Help Without a Big Commitment? Try These!
Not everyone has the time to join a big project, but even small actions can have a huge impact. If you’d like to help without committing to something large, here are some simple ways to support nature right from your home:
Plant for pollinators – Choose a sunny spot in your garden, a window box, or even a hanging basket and fill it with nectar-rich flowers like lavender, foxglove, or thyme. These plants attract bees and butterflies, helping them find food throughout the seasons.
Let your lawn grow wild – If mowing the whole lawn feels like a chore, leave just a small section to grow naturally. Dandelions, clover, and daisies will soon appear, providing a much-needed food source for insects. Even better, see what wildflowers naturally take root!
Put up a bird feeder or bug hotel – A simple bird feeder filled with seeds or fat balls can support garden birds, especially in winter. A bug hotel made from stacked twigs, bamboo, and pinecones provides shelter for beneficial insects like ladybirds and solitary bees.
Create a mini pond – Fill a shallow dish or a sunken container with water, adding stones for insects to perch on and a ramp for small creatures to climb in and out. Frogs, birds, and thirsty pollinators will soon find their way to it. Try to avoid the temptation to add fish as these can eat aquatic larvae of insects and amphibians.
Avoid pesticides and herbicides – Instead of chemical sprays, try natural pest control methods. Marigolds can repel aphids, crushed eggshells deter slugs, and a healthy mix of plants encourages natural predators like ladybirds and birds to keep pests in check.
Leave out scraps for hedgehogs – A small dish of cat food (not milk or bread!) can give hungry hedgehogs a vital food source, especially in colder months. If you have a fence, consider cutting a small hole at the base to create a “hedgehog highway” so they can roam freely.
Every small action contributes to the bigger picture. Even if you can’t take part in planting days, you can still play a vital role in supporting local biodiversity. A little effort in your own garden or balcony can create a ripple effect across the village!
Guerrilla Gardening: Taking Action in Forgotten Spaces
If your garden is already an oasis and you're still looking for ways to do more, maybe it’s time to look a little further than your doorstep. Not all green spaces are carefully tended parks and gardens—many are neglected, left bare, or covered in concrete and waste. Guerrilla gardening is about reclaiming these forgotten spaces for nature, whether that’s a roadside verge, an abandoned flower bed, or a forgotten corner of a park.
How to Get Started
Seed Bombs: One of the easiest methods is throwing seed bombs—balls of clay, compost, and wildflower seeds—into neglected areas. They break down naturally, allowing the seeds to germinate and grow where they land.
Stealth Planting: If you spot a lonely, unloved patch of soil in a public space, why not quietly plant some flowers or herbs? Hardy plants like marigolds or lavender can thrive with minimal care.
Caring for Neglected Green Spaces: Sometimes, making a difference is as simple as watering a struggling street tree or scattering some native wildflower seeds onto bare soil. A little effort can go a long way.
Legal Considerations: Stay on the Right Side of the Law
While guerrilla gardening is done with the best intentions, it can technically be classed as trespassing or vandalism if done without permission. To avoid potential issues:
Ask first—Some councils, housing associations, or landowners may actually be open to rewilding efforts if approached the right way.
Stick to public land—Abandoned roadside verges, neglected park edges, and roundabouts can be safer bets than private property.
Choose non-invasive plants—Opt for native wildflowers or species that won’t spread aggressively or disrupt local ecosystems.
Guerrilla gardening is a fantastic way to make a statement, but it’s always best to act responsibly and work with the community rather than against it. If done right, even the smallest actions can help bring life back to forgotten spaces.
Getting Schools, Social Groups, Churches & Businesses Involved
You don’t even have to get your hands dirty to help out! As stated earlier, rewilding isn’t just for individuals—it thrives when whole communities get involved. Schools, social groups, churches, and businesses all have the potential to make a real impact, and when they do, the results can last for generations. Whether it's planting a wildflower patch at a school, turning a churchyard into a wildlife haven, or getting businesses to support the cause, every bit helps.
Schools
Schools are one of the best places to start because they can teach children about biodiversity while making a real difference. Here’s how they can help:
Wildflower Patches – Many schools have grassy areas that could be transformed into buzzing mini-meadows. Not only do they support pollinators, but they also brighten up the school grounds.
Bee Hotels & Bug Houses – A fun, hands-on class project! Kids can build bug hotels out of recycled materials, giving insects a safe place to shelter.
Outdoor Learning Spaces – Teachers can use wildlife-friendly areas to teach about ecosystems, food chains, and the importance of conservation. A simple log pile can become a home for insects and a learning tool at the same time!
Social Groups & Churches
Many local groups and places of worship have land that could be used for rewilding efforts. Plus, these communities often have passionate members willing to lend a hand!
Gardening Clubs – Local gardening groups can take on small projects like maintaining wildflower patches or planting trees in public spaces.
Church Grounds – Many churches have green spaces that are rarely used. Planting native flowers or installing bird boxes can turn these areas into thriving wildlife havens.
Youth & Scout Groups – Scouts, Guides, and other youth organisations often look for environmental projects. Planting wildflowers, building hedgehog houses, or even hosting a litter pick can all contribute to rewilding efforts.
Businesses
Businesses, big and small, can support rewilding in ways that fit their size and resources. Even a small contribution can go a long way.
Office Gardens & Green Roofs – If a business has a courtyard, rooftop, or even just window boxes, they can plant pollinator-friendly flowers.
Sponsoring a Wildflower Area – Local businesses can fund the purchase of wildflower seeds or help maintain planting sites.
Community Days – Organising a staff volunteer day to plant flowers, build bird boxes, or help with a larger rewilding project is a great way for businesses to give back while strengthening team bonds.
How to Get Them Involved
Start a conversation – Speak to school teachers, business owners, church leaders, and group organisers about what they can do. Most people are happy to help once they see how simple it can be!
Offer easy solutions – Many people want to help but don’t know where to start. Suggest small, manageable projects like planting a few wildflowers or putting up a birdhouse.
Use social media & word of mouth – Spread the word online, in local community groups, or even by chatting with neighbours. The more people hear about the project, the more likely they are to get involved.
The more people and groups that join in, the bigger the impact we can make. Imagine if every school had a wildflower garden, every churchyard had a hedgehog highway, and every business did just a little bit to support biodiversity. Together, we can turn Rainford into a greener, wilder, and more nature-friendly village!
Join the Movement – Let’s Make Rainford Wild Again!
Rewilding isn’t just about planting flowers or putting up bird boxes—it’s about rekindling our connection with nature and giving wildlife the space to thrive alongside us. Whether it’s sowing a few wildflower seeds, creating a tiny pond, or simply letting a patch of your garden grow wild, every small action adds up to something greater.
Imagine stepping outside to a world where butterflies dance in the breeze, bees hum between vibrant wildflowers, and hedgehogs snuffle through safe, green corridors. A world where birdsong fills the air, the soil teems with life, and our streets and gardens overflow with nature’s beauty. We have the power to make that vision a reality.
It doesn’t take much—just a little effort, a sprinkle of patience, and a whole lot of enthusiasm. Together, as a community, we can turn Rewilding Rainford into an unstoppable rolling rock of nature-loving goodness! The more people involved, the bigger the impact we can make, and I hope this year brings even more hands to help grow this movement.
I’ll also be writing more blogs in the near future to keep this momentum going, sharing tips, stories, and updates on our progress. But I don’t want to be the only voice in this—if you have a special vocation, hobby, or interest related to nature and rewilding, I’d love to hear from you! If you’re passionate about wildlife, gardening, conservation, or anything that fits within this rewilding journey, I’ll be accepting guest blogs to help spread even more knowledge and inspiration.
If you’d like to contribute or just want to get in touch, you can reach me through mysttreecider@gmail.com or one of my social media accounts. If you want to join the Rainford’s Rewilders Facebook Group then the link is here. Let’s turn Rainford into a haven for wildlife, a place where nature flourishes, and future generations can experience the wonder of a truly wild world.
We can make the world a paradise—isn’t even the thought worth a try?
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