In the build up to this year's Big Green Weekend, which recognises the great work that The Conservation Volunteers does with so many different people, one particular project in Leeds is celebrating the involvement of 18,000 adults and children in the natural environment!
The Access to Nature in Leeds project is a partnership between two of The Conservation Volunteers Green Hubs, Skelton Grange and Hollybush in Leeds. Together, they have been working with volunteers to create welcoming, well managed, wildlife rich sites across Leeds. The teams are confident of reaching their target of 20,000 people accessing and enjoying nature, particularly in less advantaged areas of the city, through volunteering, environmental and conservation skills training, education and natural play, walks and wildlife gardening.
“I am absolutely delighted by the work our teams of staff and volunteers have done to engage so many people.” said Area Manager Caroline Crossley, “It's not only the huge numbers of people that have been involved, but the feedback from participants has been amazingly positive. This summer we have been working a lot with children from disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the city who will not have had access to much in the way of holiday and other play opportunities during the school break. They have been coming out into the woods and building dens, playing games and cooking over campfires, and have told us it was AWESOME”
The Access to Nature project has been made possible thanks to the grant given to The Conservation Volunteers by Natural England as a part of the Big Lottery's Changing Spaces programme, and supported by National Grid as a part of their commitment to community and the environment.