Biological diversity – or ‘Biodiversity’ – is the term given to the variety of life on Earth, and the natural patterns formed as a result. Defra states that "biodiversity matters because it supports the vital benefits we get from the natural environment. It contributes to our economy, our health and wellbeing, and it enriches our lives. Biodiversity is in decline across the world because of human activity, with 10-30% of animals threatened with extinction. 10% of all species are thought to be at increasing risk for every 1°c rise in global mean temperature due to climate change. All countries need to work together to be part of the solution." The UK government is committed to protecting the biodiversity of the UK. For more information see the Defra website
RCAN members are increasingly working with local communities to address biodiversity issues, working with parishes to adopt biodiversity action plans, identifying the issues through Community Led Planning activity, setting up conservation and green infrastructure projects supporting the creation of wildlife habitats, country parks and other projects that improve green spaces. For example Suffolk ACRE facilitated Community Led Plans in 3 parishes - Wenhaston, Parham & Stanton – each of which generated community-led countryside management projects.
Action with Communities in Cumbria (ACT) has produced a guidance sheet for local groups interested in carrying out work around the biodiversity of their local area. It is a useful guide to setting up a project and provides practical ideas for new projects.
Bedfordshire RCC led a successful bid to the Rural Development Programme for England for up to £3 million to invest in the Greensand Ridge area of Bedfordshire. This funding is available for local farm, forestry and other rural business and community enterprise projects. The aim is to see it as forming a key part of the wider area, offering environmentally-friendly tourism and leisure opportunities to millions of people within a short journey, as well as high-quality locally produced food. Warwickshire RCC has developed a number of projects associated with the countryside management theme, one of their recent projects, My Farming Life, involved the farming community in North Warwickshire. Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund the project worked with local volunteers and created an oral history collection of memories about farming in the 20th century. Among the many other projects they have supported are Flora and fauna surveys, Dry stone walling and other nature conservation work.
Green spaces
Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire (RCAN) has purchased 220 acres of former pit tip in Newstead and has, together with the local community, won £430k from the Big Lottery to help turn the site into a Country Park. The park will have fishing lakes, countryside stewardship, walks, a visitor’s centre, and festivals, but has additional aspirations to improve the social and economic sustainability for the local community,
Located between Newstead Village and Newstead Abbey Park the site was initially identified by members of the CAST Project [link] who have been looking for a base with existing lakes from which to operate. The Pit Tips fit the bill perfectly being 500 yards from the RCAN offices and having excellent road and rail links with the close proximity of the M1 and a Robin Hood Line railway station in Newstead Village.
Green infrastructure
Green infrastructure (GI) planning is being pioneered in Bedfordshire by Bedfordshire RCC, the idea is to develop and enhance the networks of green spaces, access routes, heritage and wildlife sites; and landscapes that are essential for quality of life as well as environmental stewardship. Green Infrastructure (GI) is a planned and managed network of multifunctional green space which can provide a healthy and rich environment. Green Infrastructure provides benefits for people and the environment. It is as important as other infrastructure, like roads and railways. It is needed to meet economic and social needs.
The Northants ACRE Green Infrastructure (GI) Tool Kit was developed by the former Green Infrastructure Community Development Worker, Jane Campion, at Northants ACRE, in partnership with The River Nene Regional Park (RNRP), and has been designed for communities to use when identifying and planning a Green Space project and applying for funding. The tool kit is aimed at Parish Councils, community groups, schools, and any one who is, or who wants to be, actively involved in developing, protecting and increasing access to the green spaces within their community in order to enhance the local environment. It could be incorporated into Parish Plans and Village Design Statements, used as a pre-survey for BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers), The Wildlife Trust, or Pocket Parks, or even as part of a school project.
Norfolk RCC has produced a toolkit with the help of the University of East Anglia, built around a selection of online resources aimed at producing a community action plan for protecting and enhancing your environment. From village ponds, to churchyards, wildlife audits to major projects. Many communities and groups want to care for their village and surrounding area, improve their environment and help wildlife. Organised into four simple steps the sense of place toolkit can help in engaging members of the community in environmental activity.
