Links and Resources

Celebrate National Allotments Week, 11 - 17 August! - click here for more information!!

Here's a list of useful links and resources that can help you to understand, develop, enhance and protect urban green spaces. Click on the title for more information.

MAPPING:
Nature on the Map is one of Natural England's interactive map sites. In the MAPS tab you will discover a choice of maps about nature, including National Nature Reserves, other kinds of protected sites, areas of semi-natural habitat etc.

The South West Nature Map identifies the best areas in our region to conserve, create and connect wildlife habitats at a landscape scale. You can also download a PDF leaflet HERE

USEFUL POLICIES AND PUBLICATIONS:
Sustainable Development Commission's Health, Place and Nature report 'how outdoor environments influence health and well-being, a knowledge base'.

UK Climate Impacts Partnership has information about the issue of climate change impacts on parks and green spaces.

Start with the Park: creating sustainable urban green spaces in areas of housing growth and renewal is CABE's good practice guide for everyone involved in the processes of sustainable growth and renewal in England. It is particularly relevant to the creation and care of green spaces in housing growth areas and housing market renewal areas.

The Government report Enhancing Urban Greenspace highlights the augument that good quality green space enhances the quality of urban life and contributes to wider government objectives such as improved health, more sustainable neighbourhood renewal and better community cohesion, especially in more deprived communities.

Trees for Cities report Trees Matter cites why we need more trees in towns and cities.

The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health have published Greenspace, urbanity and health: relationships in England a report determing the association between the percentage of greenspace in an area and heath in the population. They have also published Green space, urbanity, and health: how strong is the relation? which explores the same themes.

The Edinburgh University study Health, Well-Being and Open Space looks at the economic, environmental and health benefits of natural open space and greenspace.

Forest Research, part of the Forestry Commision, has published a study entitled Feeling Good in the Woods which explores the evidence that woodlands, trees and natural and green spaces can play a significant role to play in improving people’s health and well-being.

INFORMATION FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS:
The Wildlife Trusts Urban Greenspace pages include useful information and toolkits for community groups.

Connecting communities, neighbourhoods and nature: A toolkit was launched at the Parklife! Conference. It was written to support those working on, or interested in, developing environmental nature based projects that work with and benefit people. The toolkit is now out of print but you can download it as a PDF document.

Green Flag Awards. Case studies of the best parks and green spaces in the country were announced, including 52 in the South West. As part of the government's drive to improve the standards of management and maintenance of parks, the Green Flag Awards recognise top quality parks and green spaces across the country. Winners are judged against stringent assessment criteria and need to be welcoming and well maintained with the support and involvement of the local community.

Urban Greenspace Support Pack: Working with groups has been produced for the benefit of project officers and community groups involved in caring for greenspaces in urban areas. It aims to provide a resource to help groups develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes that will enable them to meet their aims and continue to take successful, independent and sustainable community action into the future. The toolkit is now out of print but you can download it as a PDF document.

Breathing Places is a major BBC Learning campaign to inspire and motivate you to create and care for nature-friendly green spaces where you live.

Spaceshaper is a practical toolkit for use by anyone - whether a local community group or a professional - to measure the quality of a public space before investing time and money in improving it.

It's our space: a guide for community groups working to improve public space is designed to help anyone involved in a public space project for the first time. It gives examples of great outdoor spaces led by community groups and highlights lessons from their experiences (you must be a registered CABE user in order to access).

Community Supported Agriculture (Soil Association)

FUNDING PROGRAMMES FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS & ORGANISATIONS:
Local Food Programme (run by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts) – this programme opened to applications on 17 March 2008. It funds a range of organisations who want to deliver a variety of food related projects to make locally grown food more accessible and affordable to local communities.

Community Spaces programme (run by Groundwork UK) – this programme opened to applications on 19 March 2008. It funds community groups who want to improve local green spaces such as play areas, community gardens, parks, wildlife areas and village greens.

Access to Nature programme (run by Natural England) – this programme opened to applications on 28 April 2008. It funds a range of organisations who want to encourage people from all backgrounds to learn more about and enjoy the natural environment.

Ecominds programme (run by Mind) – this programme is due to launch in late summer 2008. It will fund a range of groups who want to encourage people with experience of mental distress to get involved in environmental projects, such as improving open spaces and wildlife habitats, designing public art and recycling.

OTHER LINKS:

Ground Work - http://www.groundwork-sw.org.uk/
Natural England – http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/
Environment Agency – http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/
Woodlands Trust – http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/
Forestry Commission – http://www.forestry.gov.uk/
Play England – http://www.playengland.org.uk/
Soil Association – http://www.soilassociation.org/
Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens – http://www.farmgarden.org.uk/
GreenSpace (national and SW) – http://www.green-space.org.uk/
CABE - http://www.cabe.org.uk/
Wildlife Trusts (national and SW) - http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/
Forestry Commission - http://www.forestry.gov.uk/
Ecoregen - http://www.ecoregen.org.uk/
BTCV - http://www.btcv.org.uk/
Trees for Cities - http://www.treesforcities.org/
Grass Shoots - http://www.grassshoots.org/

Visit the Sustainability South West Web site.

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Links and Resources