Green Space Index provides robust national quantity data
The quantity and distribution of publicly accessible green space has been mapped, for the first time, by charity Fields in Trust. The data shows that there are 216,000 hectares of public green space across the UK, but 2.6 million people live further than a 10-minute walk from their nearest space. The data will be updated annually, meaning for the first time it will be possible to track trends in the provision of parks and green spaces – and, p...
Wind in the Willows film highlights wildlife decline
Using characters from the children's book The Wind in the Willows, the Wildlife Trust has created a short film to help inspire people to take better care of nature. Narrated by David Attenborough, the two-minute 'trailer' sees characters return to the countryside to see that it has been destroyed as a result of pollution, intensive farming and construction. For more details, click here.
Nature-based solutions to mass flooding in Yorkshire
Work has started on a £2.6m natural flood management project in West Yorkshire to help protect homes and wildlife damaged during major floods in 2015. The two-year initiative, led by Natural England, will reduce the risk of flooding to over 3,000 homes and businesses in the area using 151 hectares of new woodland and 85 hectares of peat bogs, heath and moor grass. For more details, click here.
Net gain gets green light in England
Biodiversity net gain will become mandatory on all new developments in England, the government has said. Due to be introduced in the upcoming Environment Bill, the change will require developers to replace and enhance biodiversity lost during the construction process. For more details, click here.
Take action or risk water scarcity, warns environment chief
Chief executive of the Environment Agency, Sir James Bevan, has called for more efficiency in the supply and consumption of water, saying that England could otherwise fail to meet demand within 25 years. He cited climate change and population growth as major contributing factors. For more details, click here.
Language skills for building GI consensus
Skills for better communicating the benefits of green infrastructure are among the features of a new practitoners' guide for securing funding for nature-based solutions. Among recommendations put forward in 'Building Urban Resilience with Nature', published by 100 Resilient Cities, are consistency in language and emphasis on the adaptability of schemes. For more details, click here.
