Environment

Greater Manchester’s first Bee Network ‘parklet’ and ‘pocket park’ has launched on Bridgefield Street in Stockport. Dozens of parklets and pocket parks could be delivered throughout Greater Manchester as part of the Bee Network.

A parklet is a mini-park - usually the size of one or two car parking bays - that is typically installed on-street featuring seating, greenery and cycle parking. A pocket park is a small park-like space that enhances a variety of street types and can incorporate seating, planting, play and street gym equipment.

Greenheys Residents Association are running a gardening club in Moss Side. It runs in Elizabeth Gaskell Square, just off Great Western Street, opposite Greenheys Adult Education Centre on Thursdays after school, 4pm-5pm for ages 5-15.

Fees: £2.50 per child or £6 per household per club.  Pay in advance and get a discount £12/£30 for six

The clock is ticking. Less than 12 years – that's how long scientists say we have left to fix the climate. Heatwaves, floods, forest fires in the Arctic – the effects of climate change are happening and the window of opportunity to act is closing.

Yet we have hope. The solutions to climate chaos are out there and by working together we can make them a reality.

The Big Bee Project will give a bee-friendly garden makeover to a community project in need.

Manchester Arndale is on the lookout for an inspiring charity or community group to support as it launches The Big Bee Project.

Keep Britain Tidy are calling on Litter Heroes across the country to help improve the environment on their doorstep. Keep Britain Today are aiming to inspire 500,000 people to join forces - in partnership with community organisations, businesses and the government - to collect and safely dispose of single-use plastic from our streets, parks and beaches, recycling as much as possible.

Grow Wild are offering anyone aged 14-25 the chance to apply for £500 to lead a project that celebrates UK native wildflowers and fungi in exciting and engaging ways.

The Greater Manchester (GM) Moving walking programme is working on some branding for the work that supports the notion that anyone can walk anytime, anywhere and ‘their way’. The aim is to help people recognise that they can and do walk, and that it is possible to do more as part of their everyday life. Along with a range of images, part of this is developing some alternative terms for walking that a range of people can relate to. 

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is providing a £1 million fund to support the development of new pocket parks and to refurbish existing parks that have fallen into disrepair where their restoration could have a significant positive impact on the local community and address a specific local need. The Government is inviting applications from community groups interested establishing a new pocket park or refurbishing an existing park.

This coming spring Grow Wild are giving away free wildflower seed kits to groups who want to add a splash of colour to their area. The kits include wildflower seeds, a growing guide and resources for people to get their neighbours and group members involved in activity, and would work for both growing in containers (e.g. around a community centre or library) or in existing spaces (e.g. borders in a park or a community garden).

Grow Wild, the outreach project of Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, has two grant funds open for application: community projects and for youth-led projects.

They are interested in projects inspired by UK native wildflowers, plants and fungi, that help people connect to each other and nature.