Biodiversity and green spaces
We value our green spaces more than ever, as they provide a host of wellbeing benefits for our residents and surrounding neighbourhoods.
Green spaces are important for flood risk reduction, summer cooling, biodiversity, food growing, air cleaning and capturing carbon. Since the 1970s, 56% of our wild plants and animals have declined (source: Wildlife Trust).
This comes partly down to loss of habitat as wildlife is losing its home and sources of food and water. Urban development has increased, meaning there’s less space for nature.
Climate change is damaging the habitats that are left. This is not only critical for wildlife, but for us too. As a housing provider we need a green infrastructure to help reduce overheating, prevent flooding and trees help to reduce air and noise pollution.
Improving and increasing biodiversity and open spaces, and having access to community space is also important for residents.
We’ll co-create with residents on their local open spaces and work closely with them on community projects such as tree planting, allotments and sensory gardens.
But first, we need to have an action plan. Before we can fully manage our open spaces, we must measure these natural assets and set a baseline. Work has started on our Green Spaces and Biodiversity Action Plan which we will develop with the help of our residents.
Completed projects:
As part of our commitment to biodiversity we launched a project that saw us look to plant 2020 trees by the end of 2020. Watch our video below to find out more about how we worked with our residents to plant 500 trees in Milton Regis, Sittingbourne.
Find out more: