Nailsworth CAN have been thinking about projects that the town, community groups and businesses can sponsor or participate in. These projects will help us to Build Back Better and help achieve the carbon net-zero goal that SDC has set for 2030.

• Tree plan: A five year tree-planting plan to be drawn up, as part of measures to improve the environment and wellbeing.

• Town centre: Make environmental improvements in the centre of town, including planting that will help reduce or manage air pollution.

• Reduced flooding: Planting and other measures to help reduce the intensity of flooding in the town.

• Orchards: A linear orchard across the town, and support for other orchards.

• Education: School-based projects to help children get involved in conservation.

• Green spaces: Community involvement in developing shared green spaces, particularly for those with limited or no garden of their own.

• Conservation gardening: Promote and support the creation of gardens that are friendly to bees and wildlife. Help develop nature corridors. Including making a special effort to support threatened species.

What are the benefits of these projects?

Carbon reduction: Tree planting, woodland management and green spaces will make a contribution to reducing carbon in the atmosphere over the medium to longer term.

Local economy: Local jobs would be created in leisure and low-impact travel. Nailsworth is famed for its hospitality venues, and could build upon this, by enhancing the environment in the town.

Fairness: Wide access to open green spaces for education and leisure is an amenity for all.

Health and wellbeing: A wide range of benefits are known to come from greater contact with nature and access to green spaces, for one’s physical and mental health, and for the community.

Nature restoration would directly follow from the projects here.

Resilience: Ensuring natural systems survive is key to living systems, including the agriculture we depend on for our food. Work on flood defences also helps to ensure the town can withstand future more intense rainfall, expected due to climate change.