The Conservation Volunteers has secured a new partnership with the Land Trust to manage vital green spaces in the heart of South Yorkshire.
This means we are embarking on an exciting new programme to engage local communities in the use and management of 465 hectares of green spaces in South Yorkshire over the next 10 years.
TCV has been appointed as the Managing Partner by landowner, the Land Trust, and will be responsible for the management of seven green spaces, which include 237 ha of plantation woodland across seven sites in Doncaster, Barnsley and Rotherham.
These important green spaces at New Park Springs, Cudworth Common, Phoenix Park, Brodsworth, Bentley, Kiveton and Dinnington have been created over the last 20 years through the reclamation and landscaping of former coal mining sites. The sites have been transformed to create a vibrant mosaic of landscapes and habitats including wetlands, woods, heaths, meadows and parkland.
These habitats support a wide range of wildlife and particularly, a large number of birds including buzzards, several species of owl, and a wide range of song birds and ground nesting birds. They were transferred to the national land management charity, the Land Trust to manage in perpetuity for community benefit.
Together our vision is to make the most of these green spaces and everything they have to offer by engaging individuals and organisations across South Yorkshire to maximise the environmental and community benefits.
TCV will work with local charities and organisations so they too can benefit from using the sites. From TCV’s experience of working across green spaces in hundreds of sites across the country, the charity knows the positive impact that green spaces can have in improving health and wellbeing, and also in tackling social disadvantage and isolation. All these benefits combine to create healthier and happier communities. If you are interested in getting involved, please get in touch.
Under the previous rangers, the Forestry Commission, the sites benefited from many hours of volunteer support and TCV will carry on managing the existing volunteering activities and developing new ones over the coming 18 months. If you are an existing volunteer or would like further information on how to volunteer, please contact TCV on 01302 388887 or email southyorkshire@tcv.org.uk.
