GLOUCESTER COMMUNITY GREEN SPACE TRANSFORMATION GETS UNDERWAY
Tuesday 28th March 2017
Wildlife Discovery (c) Nick Turner
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT), in partnership with Podsmead Big Local, will launch a new community project, to transform the Milton Avenue Open Space at a public event on Thursday April 13th, 2017. The event will be attended by representatives of Gloucester City Council, Podsmead Big Local, GWT and the Right Worshipful the Mayor of Gloucester. The project aims to make the site an accessible, safe and inviting green space for people and wildlife.
The site has great potential to become a ‘natural’ green space so GWT and owners, GCC are keen to tidy up the area and improve habitat with the help of local residents. In addition to the benefits for people, they hope to see a rise in the variety of birds, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles by working on wildflower areas, the pond, grassland and woodland.
Heading up the project, GWT’s Gloucester Community Development Officer, Nicola Simpson said: “At GWT we are really passionate about ensuring everyone has access to wild green spaces, as we know how advantageous this can be for our health and wellbeing. So we’re hugely grateful for the funding from Podsmead Big Local; enabling us to transform the Milton Avenue Open Space. However, it relies on buy-in from local residents so we hope they will be inspired to pick up a trowel or grab a litter picker and join us in making the space better for people and wildlife.”
“Following on from our consultation event at Milton Avenue in January, the feedback we’ve received from residents has helped to shape the project plan and we hope to implement some of the ideas in the transformation.”
A programme of events has been confirmed for the next 12 months, in which local residents will be invited to join in with practical conservation; have fun and learn at family fun days and school groups will have the chance to get involved in wildlife days. At the end of the year-long project, a work party made up of people from the local community will be supported by GWT in their efforts to maintain the site.
The project will improve quality of life for people in the community, contribute to flood prevention and create a space to be proud of. The new green space will improve air quality and environmental awareness; develop conservation skills; and improve the space for wildlife.
The Milton Avenue Green Space Project launch event will be held on Thursday April 13th, 2017 from 10am to 2pm. Activities will include practical conservation taster sessions, wildlife challenges for families and refreshments will be available. Representatives from GWT, Posmead Big Local and Gloucester City Council (GCC) will be present to celebrate the start of this exciting community project.
For more information contact Nicola Simpson on Nicola.simpson@gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk.