TCV have been working closely with the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership (GCVGNP) to develop the Community Rewilding project over the last three years. A mapping exercise carried out by GCVGNP identified the three project areas – Greenock, Clydebank and Yoker.
These were identified as areas where improvements to the quality of the green network were most needed and also where there are communities that would benefit most from the health and social benefits associated with the project.
TCV delivered a 5 month pilot project, funded by The Robertson Trust, during the summer of 2016 which gave people in the three communities the opportunity to carry out practical rewilding tasks such as sowing wildflower meadows, removal of invasive non-native plant species’ and creating a new pond.
As well as practical volunteering days there were public events, childrens’ outdoor play sessions and a weekly Green Gym.
The success of the pilot project allowed TCV to secure further funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and GCVGNP to deliver the main project for 18 months starting in September 2016. Since then, further funding has been secured from the Green Infrastructure Community Engagement Fund to extend the project until the end of 2018.
About the project
The project uses the idea of rewilding to connect more people in these areas to their local greenspaces. Rewilding often refers to large scale restoration of natural processes – but in an urban setting it can involve a range of practical work to make the areas greener, healthier places for people and wildlife. Working with community members, TCV is helping to ‘rewild’ areas. This has involved planting trees and sowing wildflowers in existing greenspaces and greening areas of vacant land. Smaller projects have also been developed to improve school grounds, care home gardens and private gardens for wildlife. It is hoped that new opportunities and ideas will continue to emerge as the project develops during 2017 and 2018.
As well as making physical improvements, the Community Rewilding project helps local people to connect more closely to their local greenspaces by taking part in public events and engagement sessions for groups across the three areas. These have included a bioblitz event, nature play sessions for children and citizen science activities. By providing training and skills development opportunities we are creating greater opportunities for local communities to develop new and better greenspaces which they can enjoy with confidence. A range of training and events are delivered for local people across the three areas as well as practical volunteering opportunities. The whole project will be documented in a short film created using footage of events and activities recorded by volunteers, community groups and school groups in the three areas.
For any more information about the project or to get involved please contact Rebecca Strofton on r.strofton@tcv.org.uk or 07739 447964