richard nyirenda community driven conservation
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Richard Nyirenda, Black Country Living LandscapesBetter Environments, Better LivesWest Midlands ConferenceFriday 27th February 2009Birmingham City Football Clubsee alsoTRANSCRIPT
Black Country Living Landscape
Community Driven Community Driven ConservationConservation
Richard NyirendaBlack Country Living Landscape
Project Development Officer
Better environments better lives conferenceBirmingham City FC
27 February 2009
Black Country Living Landscape is an initiative of
The Wildlife Trustfor Birmingham andThe Black Country
The Context
• The BC is a World Heritage story of people and place.• Over million people who live & work in the BC.• An industrial heritage to envy.• However its most deprived neighbourhoods are
amongst the worst in the country.• Highest rates of obesity in the UK.• Unemployment above national average.• Lack of good quality accessible open space.• Poor external perception – low environmental quality• BC Study identified education (skills) and
environmental transformation as the key drivers of change.
Black Country Living Landscape is an initiative of
The Wildlife Trustfor Birmingham andThe Black Country
Better environments better lives conferenceBirmingham City FC
27 February 2009
Black Country Living Landscape is an initiative of
The Wildlife Trustfor Birmingham andThe Black Country
Better environments better lives conferenceBirmingham City FC
27 February 2009
Our response
Six priority areas of activity:
• Biodiversity Action Plan
• Geo-diversity Action Plan
• Accessible Natural Greenspace
• Lifelong Learning
• Tourism
• Health
Black Country Living Landscape is an initiative of
The Wildlife Trustfor Birmingham andThe Black Country
Better environments better lives conferenceBirmingham City FC
27 February 2009
Our model for community involvement
CREATING (PRACTICAL ACTION)• Community allotments;• Community arts;• Sense of local identity.
ENOYING (COMMUNITY COHESION)• Walks, trails, sports;• Safer/ cleaner environments;• Events and celebrations.
NURTURING (LIFELONG LEARNING)• Environmental education;• ‘Green’ volunteering;• Management / ‘friends’ groups
Black Country Living Landscape is an initiative of
The Wildlife Trustfor Birmingham andThe Black Country
Better environments better lives conferenceBirmingham City FC
27 February 2009
The Approach
• Building a strong and working partnership at both meso and local level. Delivery and strategic partnersCommunity panel
• Flagship component - management and improvement plans for 20 LNR
• Local Community based componentFriends of Moorcroft WoodOld Gorsebrook Road Quarry in Whitmore ReansMill Pool in Sandwell
Black Country Living Landscape is an initiative of
The Wildlife Trustfor Birmingham andThe Black Country
Better environments better lives conferenceBirmingham City FC
27 February 2009
Flagship component
• Management and improvement plans for 20 LNR in the Black CountryTargeted our poorest environmentsClose collaboration with local authorities and friends of groups – community based POsWas part of the BCUP & HLF bids? – some if the improvement implemented by LAs
Better environments better lives conferenceBirmingham City FC
27 February 2009
Black Country Living Landscape is an initiative of
The Wildlife Trustfor Birmingham andThe Black Country
Black Country Living Landscape is an initiative of
The Wildlife Trustfor Birmingham andThe Black Country
Better environments better lives conferenceBirmingham City FC
27 February 2009
Old Gorsebrook Road Quarry
• Site has huge potential for community involvementGeological exposures, Improving accessLandscaping, SecurityInterpretation and local historyConnectivity and linkages
• Whitmore Reans LNP in partnership with Wildlife Trust, Black Country Geodiversity Action Plan, NE, Wolverhampton City Council, West Midlands Police
• Public consultation• Plans and funding bid being put together
Better environments better lives conferenceBirmingham City FC
27 February 2009
Black Country Living Landscape is an initiative of
The Wildlife Trustfor Birmingham andThe Black Country
Mill Pool
• Public open space and lake in Hateley Heath, Sandwell• Hateley Heath Initiative a community group has
improved the site with support from Sandwell MBC & EAAccess & infrastructure, security, DDA compliant paths and trails, litter bins and benchesLevel of use by schools and local people increasedWater quality improved
• Looking at possibilities for future support and maintenance
Better environments better lives conferenceBirmingham City FC
27 February 2009
Black Country Living Landscape is an initiative of
The Wildlife Trustfor Birmingham andThe Black Country
Moorcroft Wood LNR
• LNR in Moxley Walsall, its an old industrial site• Active Friends Of group with Walsall Council support
Regular management of site• Support to Friends Of group to apply for funding
Access improvements and interpretationEnvironmental education – community events
• Getting young people involved on the site• Wildlife Trust and Walsall Council Environment
Education Centre
Better environments better lives conferenceBirmingham City FC
27 February 2009
Black Country Living Landscape is an initiative of
The Wildlife Trustfor Birmingham andThe Black Country
Conclusion
…Black Country Living Landscape will make a lasting change in people’s awareness, access to and engagement with their natural environment.
Black Country Living Landscape is an initiative of
The Wildlife Trustfor Birmingham andThe Black Country
Better environments better lives conferenceBirmingham City FC
27 February 2009
Discussion Time