Floating wildlife habitat launched in York

A 'floating ecosystem' has been launched on the River Ouse in York.

The project, which is is led by charities St Nicks and York Cares, has seen the installation of a pontoon-like structure, and aims to improve water quality and habitat availability.

Jonathan Dent from St Nicks said: "This is an amazing project to inject some life back into the water in the city centre of York where there pretty much is none."

The new floating wildlife habitat in York (Naj Modak).

Floating haven

Funded by insurance company Aviva, the structure has been attached to the river wall near to North Street Gardens with floats which allow it to rise and fall with the river levels.

Designed by Scottish firm Biomatrix, the floating island hosts between 20 and 30 different plant species which are able to provide a shelter for small mammals.

St Nicks said it is hoped that the platform will attract pollinators, support nesting birds and provide shade under water for feeding fish. 

Attracting wildlife

Jonathan Dent added that there have been many years of urbanisation and the project was about creating something that "will attract wildlife that will improve the water quality and will look nice for people as well".

He said it was the culmination of months of planning and hard work by organisations in the city "to help restore ecological function on our rivers, which means the local community can experience and enjoy wildlife on their doorsteps for generations to come".

Ellen Hebdon from Biometrics Water Solutions said: "It will bring that green amenity to the environment; it will make the edge of the river look more natural.

"It's just really bringing back that habitat and everything above and below the water that we've destroyed over the years."