Derbyshire Wildlife Trust (DWT) has teamed up with Chesterfield Borough Council to encourage people to plan for nature.
Attending the Chesterfield Climate Change Forum meeting on 7 May, DWT discussed how forum members and community groups can play a part in supporting wildlife in their communities.
Last year, Chesterfield Borough Council worked with DWT to produce the Plan for Nature report that notes how Chesterfield can lead the way in Rewilding in Derbyshire. It recommends how sustainable planning, and dynamic forward thinking can lead to a landscape where residents, industry and wildlife coexist.
Hollie Fisher, Nature Recovery Advice Manager, from Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, attended the recent forum meeting. She said: “At Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, we put local communities at the heart of nature's recovery, and the recent Climate Change Forum was an excellent opportunity to connect with local action groups on this topic, sharing ideas and best practice. Enhancing Chesterfield's natural environment not only supports the borough's climate action goals but also brings meaningful benefits to both people and wildlife. Our partnership with Chesterfield Borough Council, strengthened through our recent collaboration on the Plan for Nature, has helped embed evidence-based strategies for integrating nature and wellbeing into local decision-making.”
Councillor Martin Stone, cabinet member for climate change, planning and the environment, said: “The council already considers protecting wildlife to be a priority in our planning process and general development. We have well-considered systems in place for the management of our wide variety of open spaces, which ensured we don’t disturb habitats unnecessarily. In the last three years we have planted 14,000 trees, with 6,000 of those being in the last year. Everything that grows has a role to play in our fight against climate change. Trees in particular provide numerous environmental benefits and helps to absorb carbon dioxide while creating unique and varied habitats in which wildlife can thrive.
“However, there are always opportunities for the council to link nature to the socio-economic development of the borough and by working closely with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, and putting together the Plan for Nature report, we will be able to put together forward-thinking policies and interventions that will actively drive nature in the local area.”
The Chesterfield Climate Change Forum, facilitated by Chesterfield Borough Council, meets regularly and members who attended the meeting in May will be taking ideas from DWT back to their local community groups or organisations to explore how they could help to make a positive environmental difference in their communities.
Kathy Farr, from Transition Chesterfield is a member of the Climate Change Forum. Reflecting on the meeting in May, she said: "It was interesting and useful to hear about the Plan for Nature and how Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is working alongside the borough council to help to promote biodiversity and nature recovery. This information has helped me to take part in the council's consultation on its new Local Plan which will guide local planning priorities. People in Chesterfield want to look after our nature and green spaces for the benefit of people, places and the planet."
The forum currently has 38 members who act as a sounding board, commenting on current projects, suggesting new ideas and helping us to raise awareness about climate projects happening either through the council or locally.
Community representatives in attendance bring a range of knowledge and expertise with them from the business and education sectors, climate groups and other community organisations.
If you are interested in joining the Chesterfield Climate Forum, please contact climate@chesterfield.gov.uk to find out more information.
