Otley Garden Centre has partnered with Wildlife Friendly Otley to enhance habitat corridors around the town by donating wildflower seeds. Volunteers, including local councillor Linda Hoare, worked alongside the centre’s team to sow seeds across a 429 m² verge stretching from the garden centre to the Otley/Pool boundary.
River Six, Co-Chair of Wildlife Friendly Otley, said the initiative is part of a larger effort to support nature recovery. “We are improving the habitat corridors around Otley; the idea is that, in time, we will join those habitats so that wildlife can move freely around our town. This is one of the entry routes into Otley, and we want to do wildflower planting along all of the entrances. Highways and the council have agreed to give us a licence to plant there, as the creation of a vital piece of our wildlife corridors. We are very grateful to the team at Otley Garden Centre for donating the seeds and giving up their time to help sow them,” said Six.
The wildflower mix, which includes plants such as lavender, borage, and poppies, is expected to create a haven for wildlife while brightening the town’s edges. Robyn Winstanley, People & Culture Business Partner at Yorkshire Garden Centres, said the project was a rewarding experience. “It was great to work with the volunteers to sow the verges with a bright flowers for wildlife mix. I look forward to seeing them all in flower,” said Winstanley.
This collaboration builds on Otley Garden Centre’s ongoing support for local biodiversity. Previous efforts include a habitat restoration project on the Weston Estate and a £250 plant donation for an orchard planting initiative at Westbourne Park and Bennett Court.
Wildlife Friendly Otley, a charity founded six years ago, now has more than 300 volunteers who actively work to protect and improve the town’s natural environment. Neil Griffin, the group’s Co-Chair and education officer, engages with local schools to educate students about Otley’s wildlife.
Otley Garden Centre is part of Yorkshire Garden Centres, a family of garden centres that includes Tong, Tingley, Bingley, Dean’s in York, and Scarborough.
