COMMUNITY green spaces across Warwickshire will be spruced up thanks to a donation to the Dunsmore Living Landscape Partnership.
The partnership has received funding from Severn Trent to improve education grounds and community green spaces for nature.
The new project, Wilder Communities, is part of the water company’s Great Big Nature Boost scheme, which aims to boost nature across over 12,000 acres of land in the Severn Trent region by 2027.
Over the course of this and next year, the Dunsmore Living Landscape (DLL) team will work with communities to restore, recreate and reconnect wildlife-rich spaces for the benefit of nature and people. Enhancements are fully funded and include work such as wildflower sowing, tree and hedge planting and pond creation.
The project is part of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s plans for a wilder future – and supports The Wildlife Trusts’ 30 by 30 campaign.
The campaign aims for at least 30 per cent of UK land and sea to be connected and protected for nature’s recovery by 2030, making more space for nature and helping to tackle the ecological crisis, the climate crisis and the human health crisis, where people are increasingly disconnected from nature.
A spokesperson said: “It’s also a great opportunity to empower communities to take action for wildlife and use these spaces as a resource for learning and exploring the natural world, whilst fostering pride, belonging and involvement in the community.
“The State of Nature report tells us that 41% of UK species are in decline; it is clear that we need more people than ever to champion nature’s recovery in order to reverse this trend.”
Dan Loveard, DLL’s Community Engagement Officer said: “Thank you to Severn Trent for funding this exciting project. It is fantastic to be able to continue and build on Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s existing partnership, while investing further into our mutual aspirations of restoring important habitats for wildlife and people.”
Zara Frankton, Severn Trent’s Senior Biodiversity Coordinator, said: “We’re really excited to expand our partnership with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, through our support for the Wilder Communities project. Whatever your age, we think it’s a great way to connect with your local community, learn new things and improve habitats for wildlife.”
The Dunsmore Living Landscape is a wooded heartland linked by a network of hedgerows and meadows which stretches from the outskirts of Coventry and Leamington Spa to the Fosse Way.
Email Dan Loveard at [email protected] to register an interest in improving education grounds or community green spaces.
