Surveys of conservation, amenity, wildlife and geological value can be made by young and old, expert and novice on the whole range of sites found in urban areas. Liaise with schools, Wildlife Trusts, WATCH groups (the junior branch of The Wildlife Trusts), county record offices, statutory nature conservation authorities and other interested groups. Surveys can be useful and enjoyable in their own right, and do not necessarily have to be linked to any practical work. Carrying out a survey and producing a report or map can be a project which involves different groups of people of varying skills and interests.
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
A local group of the trust noted 29 bird species on their ‘Dawn Chorus Walk’ at Central Forest Park, Hanley. Although collected only for interest, the data then proved useful at a public inquiry to refute a developer’s claim of only 5 species. There have been other public inquiries where data collected by local enthusiasts, including children, have proved decisive. It is always worth collecting simple, reliable data; it gives a sense of achievement to walks and visits, and you never know when it may come in useful!
It’s also an activity which uses few resources, and can raise environmental awareness without the long-term implications of practical work.
All practical work should be preceded by a survey of the site in question, to ensure that the proposed work will enhance the site, and not reduce its existing value. For further details on site surveys see here.
Abbot’s Wood, Bristol
At Abbot’s Wood, near Bristol, TCV employed the services of two performance artists as part of a tree planting day. The performers played the parts of abbots, and led ‘animated walks’ around the site, bringing to life the history of the area and showing people the trees and other landscape features which linked with the past. The animated walks complemented well the more practical aspects of the day, providing a welcome break for the tree planters, and diversion for the children. Other activities included nature games, badge making and banner making. The letters of the banner were made by the children with the help of an art student, and then strung together and hung for the official opening of the wood at 3pm. The opening ceremony was led by the ‘abbots’. For this type of event, performance artists need careful briefing on the local and natural history of the site, so that their communication skills can be effectively used to inform people about the area and enthuse them to further involvement.
Laurel Glen, South Belfast
Laurel Glen, South Belfast is an area of 65 acres on three different sites around the Poleglass Estate. The site is rich in wildlife and has woodland, grassland and a wealth of species, however there was a major litter problem with fly-tipping, dumping of refuse by locals who miss the bin collection day, and persistent littering by children and night-time drinkers. In the past, rubbish bins were not allowed because of the security risk, and little effort was made to change local habits. The Department of the Environment, which owns the land, has funded Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland to employ four full time litter wardens. The project started with a litter awareness week, to explain the aims of the project and ask for co-operation from local residents. As well as picking up litter, the wardens can take action against persistent offenders, who may be traced by identifying names and addresses from dumped domestic rubbish. The triple approach of educating, clearing up and prosecuting is proving effective in lessening the problem. With the litter problem under control, work has moved on to tree planting, pond creation and planting of wildflowers.
Another approach, used in some London boroughs, is for the local council to provide skips for a few days every month in some housing estates. Anyone needing to dispose of large items can then do so, without resorting to fly-tipping.
Bury, Lancashire
TCV in Bury, Lancashire, have been involved with running environmental playschemes since 1991. This started at a time TCV had their office in a Community Centre, and staff at the centre asked the TCV officer for help with providing environmental activities for children who use the centre after school and during the holidays. The success of this link led other community centres to request TCV help, and the scheme steadily grew until by the summer of 1995, over 25 days of playscheme activities were provided by TCV during the 6 weeks summer holidays. Adults in charge of children’s groups need experience, the right sort of personality, and most importantly, police clearance for working with young people. In this case the TCV officer had the relevant qualifications, and was able to run the schemes with the help of local volunteers. In other cases, TCV staff may need to work with qualified playleaders or other staff always in attendance. On the Bury scheme, the groups were limited to a maximum of 12 children, with 4 or 5 adults. Half and full-day activity programmes were run, including a wide range of environmental activities.
Tree dressing, Brixton
TCV in Brixton initiated an ambitious tree dressing event, to dress a large and prominent London Plane opposite the Tate Library. The theme ‘Every Tree Counts’ was adopted, and large numerals for hanging in the tree were obtained from Common Ground. A specialist company supplied other banners, which were painted with brightly coloured designs by children from four local schools. Permission and support was gained from the local council, including assistance from arboriculturists, advice on Health and Safety, and obtaining a performance licence. The tree dressing event was attended by about 75 people including the Lady Mayor of Lambeth, who spoke on the importance of trees, and presented the last number to be hung in the tree. A story teller added to the enjoyment of the event. The banners were left in position for a month, and proved a popular attraction, both by day, and when floodlit at night. The following year, a lower-key approach was used. A tree in a wooded area at the Oasis project was chosen, and the local children made bird feeders to hang on the tree. As part of the tree dressing event, a story teller told stories about trees in other countries and cultures.
Bristol, Avon
An initiative by Bristol TCV is to organise woodland activity days, to enable groups of school children to explore the woodland environment in a safe but interesting way. Activities include environmental games, discovering the natural materials within the wood, coppicing and making dwellings, sculptures and other structures from the coppiced material. This level of activity needs a high proportion of skilled helpers, but provides a very enjoyable and rewarding day for everyone, and for which there is no shortage of applicants. An activity day has been a popular first prize for a schools environmental competition, and otherwise offered to schools where there is a particular desire to raise environmental awareness among the children.
