Thanks to a new floating nature habitat on the River Ouse, Northern England’s York can proudly say it is a city actively working to improve its natural environment, the BBC reports. This unique structure — made of 14 interconnected units of recycled materials — provides shelter and food for fish, bees, and other small creatures. It also enhances the city’s beauty and improves water quality.
With an already proven track record in major cities around the world — like Edinburgh, Melbourne, and Chicago — Biomatrix Water Solutions has now brought its habitat-creating expertise to York. Its “floating ecosystems” are designed to restore and protect local biodiversity, hosting 20 to 30 native plant species and providing a haven for various wildlife.
Local charities St Nicks and York Cares, along with funding from insurance company Aviva, worked together on the 54 feet by 7.5 feet floating habitat project.
River Ouse Floating Ecosystem (Photo Courtesy of Biomatrix)
St Nicks’ Jonathan Dent told the BBC that the project was about “creating something that’s going to go back into the water that will attract wildlife and different insects that will improve the water quality and will look real nice for people as well.”
“It’s just really bringing back that habitat and everything above and below the water that we’ve destroyed over the years,” Biomatrix’s Ellen Hebdon said.
Photo Courtesy of Biomatrix
Considering many major cities are on the water, these floating ecosystems help provide a sanctuary for some of our smallest creatures living in metropolitan areas. They also add beauty by turning sometimes neglected and ignored urban areas into “living water cities.”
Lady Freethinker applauds St Nicks, York Cares, Aviva, and Biomatrix for creating something extraordinary that will hopefully allow York’s small animals, pollinators, and plants to thrive.
