£2.6m Pledged For Trees And Green Spaces: Trees and green spaces will feature in a number of projects which will receive an investment £2.6 million from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) over the next two years in order to improve Wales’ environment.
The projects were selected under the four themes of reducing the risk from environmental hazards; improving habitat management, biodiversity and connectivity; improving access to the outdoors; and using the environment to support the economy and develop skills.
Among the successful bids are:
- Roots and Water, a project by Severn Rivers Trust with the Woodland Trust to raise awareness of the importance of tree planting for multiple benefits such improving air quality, reducing flood risk and creating habitats for wildlife in the upper Severn area of mid-Wales. They will work with landowners, volunteers and community groups to plant native hedgerow trees and propagate the black poplar tree.
- Shared Spaces, a project run by Hay-on-Wye Town Council to create green corridors in and around the town to link wildlife habitats and so tackle the decline in biodiversity, with wooden sculptures and interpretation boards on the route’s wildlife.
- Nature for Health, a joint venture by Denbighshire Countryside Services and the Denbighshire County Council Housing Department, which will use environmental social prescribing and GP referrals to encourage communities to access and enjoy their local green spaces.
- Gower Hedgerow Hub, to address the over 800km of hedgerows on the Gower peninsula recorded as in poor condition, by engaging and training landowners and volunteers to create an intact, continuous hedgerow to act as a wildlife corridor.
Chair of NRW’s Strategic Funding Board Rhian Jardine said: “We need to make the most of our resources and we must find new, innovative ways to deliver the best outcomes for the environment, for wildlife and for people.
“Our commissioning approach, where we set out the challenges for specific areas of Wales, generated interest across all sectors, and we have several partners who will receive funding for the first time.”
For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news
Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.
You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.
