A partnership, which has created forest meadows and wildlife corridors across Swindon, has been extended under plans approved by councillors at a Swindon Borough cabinet meeting on 8th March.
Swindon Borough Council will now build on its work with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust (the Trust) to greatly expand the number of woodland, grassland and wildflower sites across the Borough.
The partnership, through the Swindon Forest Meadows project, has created new areas of woodland, scrub and grassland at Mouldon Hill, new woodland and river restoration at the Rivermead Flood Storage area, and support for community projects throughout Swindon, including, Shaftesbury Lakes, Raybrook Meadow, The Prinnels, Foundation Park and Penhill Haven.
Following the success of this programme, supported by large numbers of local volunteers, the Council and the Trust have agreed to extend and expand the project.
Under the approved plans, the Trust will identify opportunities for biodiversity enhancements and will then develop and deliver the schemes. The Trust will also lead on the creation of long-term management plans.
In addition to this, plans include a major focus on enhancing the wildlife corridor running from Mouldon Hill Country Park through to the River Ray Parkway. This includes creating new paths that will making it easier for local residents to experience the wildlife along this corridor.
There will also be a strong focus on providing access to nature for our more deprived communities.
Green infrastructure such as forest meadows can help to mitigate climate change by reducing Green House Gas emissions. It is also vital to enable people and wildlife to adapt to the rising temperatures and extreme weather events associated with climate change.