Parks and countryside
Walsall Council celebrates World Earth Day
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As the world commemorates World Earth Day, Walsall Council is proud to highlight some recent environmental successes, which show the council’s commitment to creating a greener and more sustainable borough.
The council secured funding in September 2023 from the Government's Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund. This allowed for tree planting and rewilding efforts across the borough, the creation of new green jobs and enriching biodiversity. New jobs meant members of the public were able to create woodlands in the borough.
Walsall Council has pledged to complete 14 hectares of tree planting within the next two years, and is currently securing funding for community orchards and micro-woods, with a longer-term plan of raising the current canopy cover of 11% to 20% by 2040.
March was a great month for environmental successes:
- Rare bees spotted! Walsall Council celebrated the discovery of rare bees thriving at Barr Beacon local nature reserve, showcasing the positive impact of habitat restoration efforts. The discovery of the Cats Ear Mining Bee (Andrena humilis) and the Cats Ear Nomad Bee (Nomada integra) was made by Aaron Bhambra, a researcher at the University of Birmingham and this marked a significant milestone, as they had not been sighted locally for decades. Both species are classified as near threatened in Britain, making their presence at Barr Beacon LNR even more significant and very exciting.
- Low energy lights! The council announced the completion of its initiative to convert 23,000 streetlights to low-energy LED lighting, promising significant reductions in energy usage and carbon emissions. Alongside the lantern conversion, the council also installed remote monitoring that allows them to identify issues and control lighting levels.
- Money to develop orchards and microwoods! Additionally, there was an ambitious project to establish community orchards and micro woods across the borough, supported by a generous grant of £63,000 grant from the Coronation Living Heritage Fund, facilitated by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), to enhance green spaces and foster community engagement. The council's healthy spaces team, supported by the generous grant, geared up for planting events at both Reedswood Park and King George V Park. Additionally, efforts are underway to expand the planting initiative to local schools, with Millfield Primary School in Brownhills being one of the early beneficiaries.
Pupils helping to plant 7 trees at Millfield Primary School in Brownhills.
Barr Beacon, the site of the recent rare bee discovery.
Walsall Council’s plan to convert 23,000 streetlights to low energy LED lighting.
In April, in collaboration with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Walsall Council unveiled a captivating legacy artwork sculpture trail at Reedswood Park, celebrating the beauty of nature and the indispensable role of bumblebees in our ecosystem. West Midlands-based artist, Daisy Askins, was commissioned by the charity to create the sculpture trail as part of their 'Bee Inspired Walsall' project, funded by The National Heritage Lottery Fund, celebrating the beauty of nature and the indispensable role of bumblebees in our ecosystem.
As communities unite to celebrate World Earth Day, Walsall Council reaffirms its dedication to building a more sustainable and resilient borough for present and future generations.
ENDS
