A new nature-focused sustainable drainage system is putting wildlife - and young minds - at the heart of climate resilience.
Meristem Design has launched the Bio Habitat SuDS Planter, a new innovation that brings together sustainable drainage and urban biodiversity in a single, compact, and multifunctional unit.
Building on the success of our standard SuDS planters, the Bio Habitat model is designed not only to manage rainfall and reduce surface water runoff, but to create micro-habitats for urban wildlife - and to engage and educate the communities around it.
With the aim of making climate resilience visible, accessible and alive, we wanted to develop a SuDS planter that didn't just tick sustainability boxes, but one that sparked curiosity and connection - especially in schools and public spaces.
Wildlife-friendly features built in
The new Bio Habitat SuDS Planter comes with a suite of built-in ecological enhancements, including:
- A watering hole to attract pollinators and birds
- Bug hotels, bee bricks, and hollow stems for insects
- A hedgehog house tucked safely beneath the planter
- A compost zone to support healthy soil and nutrient cycles
- Pollinator planting to boost urban greening and biodiversity
These features transform a functional piece of infrastructure into a wildlife haven, supporting species increasingly under threat in urban environments.
First installation brings climate education to life
Our first Bio Habitat SuDS Planter was recently installed at Ocklynge Primary School in Eastbourne, where pupils helped with planting and explored each of the habitat features up close.
Teachers and pupils alike quickly saw the educational potential. The planter became a living classroom - a real-world teaching tool for topics such as climate change, sustainable water management, and local biodiversity.
Supporting schools, local authorities and BIDs
With local councils and BIDs under increasing pressure to deliver climate adaptation, biodiversity net gain and community engagement, the Bio Habitat SuDS Planter provides a cost-effective, space-efficient solution that can meet multiple goals at once.
Whether installed outside a school, along a high street or in a community square, the planter demonstrates how green infrastructure can be inclusive, educational, and alive with possibility.
Available now!
The Bio Habitat SuDS Planter is now available as part of Meristem Design’s product range and can be tailored to meet site-specific or curriculum-based needs.
To learn more or discuss a potential installation, visit our product page!
