Biodiversity and Sustainability at the Crematorium

Crematorium and gardens of remembrance biodiversity and sustainability statement

Bereavement Services are dedicated to fostering a sustainable and biodiverse environment. Our commitment to environmental stewardship is reflected in our efforts to minimise our carbon footprint, enhance biodiversity and engage with our community. This commitment is in line with the IW Council Corporate Plan.

As a Biosphere Reserve the Island is an area that has been recognised by UNESCO for its combination of ecological and cultural diversity and its desire to see these qualities used to support a sustainable and resilient way of life for the people who live and work there. We support this designation through the work we are doing.

The brook running through the grounds is cited as an Area that is Particularly Important for Biodiversity (APIB) on the draft Isle of Wight Local Nature Recovery Strategy with much of the grounds allocated as Areas that Could become important for Biodiversity. (ACB).

Biodiversity

Bereavement Services are dedicated to working to protect and enhance the natural environment of the Crematorium grounds.

The Crematorium and Gardens of Remembrance is set within ten acres of diverse habitat including ancient natural woodland and is home to rare and protected flora and fauna including red squirrels,, eight species of bat, rescued hedgehogs, glow worms and butterflies. It features a mix of mature broadleaved trees, formal communal scattering lawns and shrub borders with a wildflower and grass meadow and a natural brook.

Biodiversity Initiatives

Our dedicated grounds team ensure that a variety of trees, plants and wildlife thrive throughout the year.

Recent tree planting and border renovation create additional memorial areas that blend seamlessly with the woodland surroundings offering a peaceful and natural visitor experience. The wildflower and grass meadow provide a haven for pollinators like bees and other wildlife, including species of butterfly such as the Marble White, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper, six spot Burnet, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Moth Cinnabar, bumblebees and green, field and meadow grasshoppers. The site also provides foraging and commuting opportunities of many bat species, including Daubentons Bat, Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle, Whiskered Bat, Serotine Bat and Natterers Bat and we have regular bat surveys undertaken.

After investigating our Ancient Woodland, the flora includes many indicator plants of ancient woodland; wood anemones, primroses, common dog violets, dog mercury, bluebells, early purple orchid, herb robert, and lesser knapweed. We also have narrow leaved lungwort which is rare in the UK.

Our regular birds recorded are buzzards, jays, magpies, green woodpeckers, spotted woodpeckers, wagtails and robins.

We have erected boxes for bats, dormice, hedgehog house, various bird boxes, bug and bee hotels.

We have undertaken butterfly surveys (Butterfly Conservation) and bird surveys (RSPB) to help better understand and provide for our wildlife.

Within the woodland areas we leave cut timber to form habitat piles which provide food and shelter for a wealth of wildlife ranging from small mammals, reptiles and amphibians to insects, beetles and fungi. We have also started replacing ornamental hedges with native species which provide berries, hips and nuts for wildlife and nesting sites and shelter for birds and small mammals.

Our Wildflower Meadow is under development with twenty plant species, including orchids, identified and a full botanical survey is planned for Spring 2025, after which we hope the site will be designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).

In addition, a cottage garden area is also in development for Spring 2025 with plants such as herbs to be planted to encourage bees and butterflies. The area will also have a compost area and a patch of wild nettles to help support various endangered moths and butterflies.

Within the grounds we also have various dedicated conservation areas. In these areas the vegetation is cut once a year to allow plants to set seed and protected species to flourish. Around the boundaries of the site we create natural habitats, such as wildlife corridors, which are more favourable for wildlife.

In 2025 we will start composting leaves, flowers and plant material and will shred waste for mulch rather than light bonfires to dispose of green waste,

There is an ongoing programme of tree planting with over 150 trees planted in last 3 years. Every mature tree lost within the Crematorium grounds is replaced like for like.

From April 2025 we have stopped the use of chemical based weedkillers and are trialling using an eco-product made from vinegar. Early results are encouraging.

Bereavement Services is dedicated to minimising our environmental impact. Our management approach is guided by annual monitoring of the site’s flora and fauna.

Supporting our vision through expert advice

We have worked alongside, and taken expert advice, from:

• Caroline Herbert - IWC Ecology Officer
• Tony Gillingham - IWC Tree Officer
• Matt Noyce - Former Head Gardener and Curator, Quarr Abbey
• Dr Jon Whitehurst - Bat Conservation Expert
• Jackie Wilson BEM - Save Our Hedgehogs Isle of Wight
• Chris Kidd - Head Curator, Ventnor Botanic Garden
• Stephen Oaks-Monger – Orchid Specialist
• Isle of Wight and Hampshire Wildlife Trust

These professionals have been supporting us in developing a vision which will prioritise wildlife and natural assets, to compliment the work we have undertaken in the grounds.