Make a Change - Sustainability Conference

As part of the Greenspace project, TCBC is organising the 'Make a Change' sustainability conference. This is being held on the 4th,5th, and 6th May at the Power Station, St Dials.
The main focus for 4th May is 'Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Torfaen'. Steve Williams , TCBCs Senior Ecologist, will be presenting an update on the proposed Local Biodiversity Action plan, including the proposed Local Nature Reserves. There will be presentations from a range of speakers on there contribution to the LBAP and the afternoon session will include workshops on the future focus of the LBAP patnership.
The focus of 5th and 6th May broadens to encompass the wider issue of sustainability. A major objective of the event is to form a Community Sustainability Network in Torfaen, with a wide range of members, to develop a sustainability Action Plan and help to take this forward. I realise there is already alot of work being done in this area and i hope this event can enhance existing projects.
For more information please contact veronika.ashton@torfaen.gov.uk

Sustainable Development -"Make a Change"

A Sustainable Development conference is being planned for March 2006 to bring together community groups, individuals and interested organisations to form a Steering Group. It is hoped that this group will then participate in the development of a community based sustainable development action plan.

Nant-y-Gollen Project

This project would incorporate a nature area at the rear of St Cadocs, securing an area behind The woodlands, restoring and improving the American gardens and improving the PROW to the Folly. Two events have been held to clear the footpath behind Penygarn Junior School. A number of organisations are working together to invovle the Junior School in investigating the historical and ecological aspects of the American Gardens.

Capel Newydd

Early Fields
This is a steeply sloping site in Blaenavon being managed by a group of local residents. The Greenspace project has contributed to the completion of a phase 1 Habitat survey and advice on producing a management plan for the site. The project group are currently seeking funding to progress their ideas.

H2 Promoting Biodiversity

Biodiversity Champions
As a part of the project, we will be encouraging local groups and individuals to carry out regular surveys of green spaces, particularly Local Nature Reserves, to build up a picture of habitats and species throughout the borough. The project may also involve identifying and implementing improvments to sites to encourage a greater range of biodiversity. Training and equipment will be provided to interested people and regular activites and events will be held to involve people in the scheme. It is hoped that Cwmbran Community Council will support an award for Biodiversity Champions as a part of their existing volunteer awards scheme as recognition of participants efforts.
Workshops have been held with local schools to raise awareness of biodiversity in Torfaen and how to look after the local enviroment.

Greenmeadow Community Farm

Sown and Sorted, a project working with young people excluded from school, helped to plant trees, including wild pear, crab apple and rowan, and wild rose. This will be supplemented with wildflower plugs in the spring.

Busy Bees wildlife sanctuary Blaenavon

A group of children helped to design and create a wildlife garden, including a small pond, marsh area and the planting of wild daffodils.

Cwmynyscoy Community Garden

Two unused allotments are being turned into a community garden with young people from West Mon and Pontymoile Schools. The margority of pupils who have been involved to date are from the traveller community. As part of the project participants will grow a variety of vegetables, herbs and fruit along with wildflowers. It is hoped that the site will host a small tree nurseryand that participants will be involved in the collection and growing of seeds. Activities will include comparison of chemical free pest control, investigating composting and attracting wildlife to the garden. Physicalwork started in November and has progressed well.

Fairwater Junior Garden

Three groups of children have been involved in creating a marsh area, mixed beds and a 'rainbow border'. A further three groups are expected to take part over the next few months.

Thornhill Allotment wildlife area

A marsh area, hedgehog home and insect tower have been created. Three apple trees were planted in the wildlife area in December. Next steps are to build a compost heap and plant native blossom trees, such as crab apple and wild pear.

Welsh Environmental Links - Torfaen and National Linsk relatign to Greenspace Project

Welsh Environmental Links

Action Energy - Energy Saving
Environment Wales
Natur Cymru
The Environment Council
The National Trust
World Health Organisation
Young Peoples Environment

Some pictures from the Torfaen greenspace project

Some photos from Torfaen, South East Wales from the Greenspace environmental project led by Torfaen County Borough Council and sponsored by the big lottery fund.

The main aim of the project is to increase understanding of sustainable development through practical involvement.

Local Environment Improvements within Torfaen thanks to the Greenspace Project

Local Environmental Improvements

The following are local and recent environmental improvements within Torfaen, South East Wales resulting from the council led and big lottery funded Greenspace project:

Thornhill Monnow Court

Consultation with the local community identified the need to provide fencing to a play area in Monnow Court. The fence has been ordered and will be provided in partnership with the Housing Department of TCBC.

Cwmbran Community Woodlands 'Respect the Woodlands'

Cwmbran contains a range of woodlands of high biodiversity value which are close to urban areas. Some groups of local residents are interested in helping to look after these woodlands but will need support in terms of developing skills and knowledge to enable them to do this.

There is an established group, the Landladies, who have adopted an area of woodland and keep it free of litter. They would like to learn more about woodland management to enable them to play a greater role in looking after the woods. The group recently helped chip brash to improve access through the woodland. It is hoped that two more groups will be established in the south west Cwmbran area in partnership with BTCV.

St Dials Tamarind planters

The Tamarind is an Indian restaurant that has opened in the former Marlborough Club in St Dials. The building has a flat roof which has been softened by the provision of planters containing trailing plants, herbs and some evergreen plants to reduce the visual impact of the building. As a result of this project, interest has been shown in further planting schemes in

Check out the new revamped homepage

The Greenspace Project homepage on webster.uk.net has now been revamped and updated with a host of new information, links and images.

www.webster.uk.net/greenspace

Greenspace looking at green issues relevant to the environment within Torfaen, South East Wales.

Green Issues in Torfaen - what are your views?

We would like to hear from you - the people of Torfaen about the Green issues important to you in the area.

What do you think of the Green project and other environmental schemes which are currently taking place within Torfaen?

Are there other environmental schemes exisiting in the rest of Wales or the UK which you believe would work well and benefit the county borough area of Torfaen?

Please leave your comments and thoughts on relevant 'Green issues' including recycling, waste management, conservation and so on.

Post a reply on this log - you don't have to be a registered user, simply select the anonymous tab. Alternatively, send me your thoughts or comments on an email to Veronika.ashton@torfaen.gov.uk.

Torfaen's Online Community Portal

Information about Torfaen's Greenspace Project can be found on the county specific online community portal webster.uk.net.

Check the project specific page at:

www.webster.uk.net/greenspace

Further environmental information and useful links can be found at the environment page on webster at:

www.webster.uk.net/environment