As individuals it’s easy to feel helpless about the effects of climate change and loss of biodiversity. We can each of us make changes and take steps to help – every little helps. We can also act together – together we are bigger, stronger and more effective!
Community takes many forms and can be coming together in person, in spirit, online. It can be local, national, global…… and that coming together can make change happen, can provide company, be good for physical and mental health and good for the planet. Win win!
Planned events and workshops for this summer are on hold. We hope to have a calendar of events, both actual and online, in 2021.
Volunteers this year have already transformed parts of Parish Bank in Chalford Hill (covered in flowers and butterflies) and have planted a small stand of native trees there. Following work on part of the bank on Abnash this verge has been awarded ”Conservation Roadside Verge” status by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. And 50 people, of all different ages, came together one weekend in March to plant 180 young trees on land just above the allotments on Middle Hill. It will one day be a lovely spinney of native trees, providing food and shelter for all sorts of wildlife, soaking up carbon and helping Improve the air our children breathe. And on top of that a very good time was had by all!
In the summer some volunteers worked to clear the invasive Himalayan Balsam down near the canal – this is non-native plant squeezes out native plants, leading to erosion of the river banks.
We’ve also been working with Bussage School to help them turn their grounds into an environment that encouraged wildflowers and wildlife.
- Would you like to help transform a roadside verge near you?
- Would you like to join us in a (socially distanced) working party in the autumn?
- Would your group or society like to help transform a green space? Or donate seeds, plants, shrubs or trees for green spaces in our villages?
- If you’re interested in any of the above we would love to hear from you… Please contact info@chalcan.org.uk