Enhancing nature near Thong
More than 200 trees have been planted along with shrubs, hedgerows and four new ponds
We have transformed a simple grass field near the village of Thong, Gravesham into a new, diverse habitat bigger than 16 football pitches - becoming the first green space completed as part of our plan to be Britain’s greenest road.
With a public footpath providing a link from the village of Thong, the area acts as a gateway to the rolling countryside of the Kent Downs.
It will become a haven for local wildlife such as insects, newts, birds and bats. More than 200 trees have been planted along with shrubs, hedgerows and four new ponds.
We transformed a low biodiversity, grassland field into a species-rich meadow – but how did we do it?
To stop a small number of fast-growing, dominant grasses from taking over, we changed the nutrient levels of the soil. Instead of competing for a single abundant nutrient, grasses and wildflowers will now develop different strategies to grow - leading to coexistence rather than competition.
This soil will allow a mix of more than 30 native grasses and wildflowers to develop into a species-rich meadow, increasing the natural diversity of the area.
The new habitat has been created ahead of major construction work starting so the vegetation has time to mature and the ponds can fill naturally – providing a suitable habitat for any amphibians or reptiles that may need to be relocated from construction sites.
