On Wednesday, a team of Openreach engineers volunteered their time and unique expertise in working at height to safely install specially designed nest boxes in residential properties. The effort is part of Openreach鈥檚 Business Conservation Partnership with RSPB in a bid to become a more sustainable business.
Using their industry-specific skills, the engineers helped ensure the boxes were placed in optimal, elevated locations鈥攃rucial for the safety and success of the birds they鈥檙e designed to support. The initiative focuses on vulnerable and declining species such as swifts, house sparrows, and house martins, many of which are struggling to find safe nesting sites in modern buildings.
Openreach has installed over 50 nest boxes so far and plans to expand the initiative to other regions in the future, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and nature.
Abby Chicken, Head of Sustainability at Openreach, said: 鈥淥ur partnership with the RSPB is a meaningful step toward our sustainability goals. Our engineers are in a unique position to make a real difference for wildlife, and this project is a great example of how we can apply our skills beyond the network to support biodiversity and the communities we work in.鈥
The RSPB welcomed the collaboration, highlighting the growing need for creative partnerships to tackle biodiversity loss. By supporting nature in urban and suburban areas, the project helps connect people with wildlife while directly contributing to the conservation of at-risk species.
Dr Natasha Howell, Senior Business Conservation Advisor at RSPB, said: “This project really is the perfect way for our two organisations to work together. We’re both bringing our specialist skills to the table to help threatened species recover from declines.”