Diss Train Station volunteers given Greater Anglia award for biodiversity and nature work

Diss Train Station has received a ‘Wildlife Friendly’ accreditation recognising the work of community volunteers improving biodiversity and supporting nature on the site.

Greater Anglia, partnered with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, awarded the station's volunteer ‘adopters’ for creating a wildlife haven through its ‘Greater Anglia Wildlife Friendly Stations Accreditation Scheme.’

Diss station adopters, Heather Babb, Katie Brame, Nikki Young and Peter Harrison received the award following assessment by a Norfolk Wildlife Trust Conservation Officer to determine how well the station supports local flora and fauna.

They have created a garden area on platform two with nectar-rich planting to help support pollinating insects, complete with an insect hotel.

The ecologist’s report stated that although Diss is an 'urban station, surrounded by housing and industrial estates, it sits in a good location for providing some habitat connectivity for wildlife through the town.'

Alan Neville, Greater Anglia’s customer and community engagement manager, said: "We’re delighted to partner with the region’s wildlife trusts to formally recognise the valuable work of our station adopter volunteers in supporting wildlife and improving their local environment.

"I’d like to congratulate the volunteers at Diss station on receiving this recognition and thank them for the incredible work that are doing that is help to support biodiversity locally."

Rail stations in East Anglia are increasingly becoming havens for local wildlife thanks to the efforts of more 300 volunteers who last year transformed around 7,400 square metres of land into thriving wildlife gardens.