Hedgehog highways, pond creation, community food growing, wildflower sowing, and tree planting are just some of the nature-boosting initiatives carried out by people and community groups in Norwich, guided and supported by us.

Nextdoor Nature is The Wildlife Trusts' flagship people and nature programme, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Since it launched last year, hundreds of groups across the country have been supported to create community gardens and wilder neighbourhoods, improving nature connectedness for people and providing habitat for wildlife.

We are delivering the programme over two years in Norwich, focusing on the Mile Cross, Marlpit, North Earlham and Wensum ward of the city. Our Nextdoor Nature Officer, Lee Cozens, has spent the last year getting to know people living and working in the community and exploring ways that they can work together to make changes that benefit nature and enhance where they live.

Lee said: "Nextdoor Nature is all about supporting communities to start taking action so that nature can flourish where they live, whilst also creating new bonds and relationships that improve quality of life too. It's been brilliant to see how much is already happening in the area – these are strong and vibrant communities. We can provide extra support and help groups take forward brand new ideas. It's so exciting because people are coming together and making great things happen. The momentum is building.

"With the fantastic Sweet Briar Marshes at the core of this area, every small act for wildlife, whether it be a wildflower meadow in a local park, or bird and bat boxes in gardens, or hedgehog-friendly streets will create a patchwork of thriving spaces for nature to travel across the city to other wild spaces."

In the first year of the project, five projects are already under way and over 20 local people are involved in creating positive changes for nature and people where they live.

Lee Cozens says: "With our natural world in a precarious state, the only true hope for nature recovery is if a far bigger number of ordinary people step up and act for nature on their doorstep and beyond. This is exactly what Nextdoor Nature is all about. I'm looking forward to seeing what the next year will bring."