Photo, Rosie Mansell
Green Communities (Plymouth)
Giving a voice to nature in the city
Plymouth is a large city of over 250,000 people in South Devon. Within and around the city are large green spaces, such as Central Park and Saltram, as well as many smaller parks. Just as important are the wonderful blue spaces – the ocean vistas of Plymouth Sound, as well as the estuaries of the Tamar and Plym rivers.
What is Green Communities?
Green Communities is a pioneering project that promotes nature neighbourhoods, connecting people and wildlife in the Keyham & West of the City, Devonport and Central Park. The Green Communities team are working alongside community businesses, social enterprises, local residents, schools, and community groups to listen to how they want to improve their green spaces, and will support them to make things happen. This project follow on from the work on the Green Minds Plymouth project (find out more below).
How to get involved
If you live in or near to any of the Green Communities areas (Keyham & West of the City, Devonport and Central Park), and would like to find out how you can get involved to help take action for nature on your doorstep, please contact Helen Parr, Devon Wildlife Trust, Urban Nature Recovery Officer at hparr@devonwildlifetrust.org.
You can also find out what events are happening in these areas here.
What was Green Minds?
Green Minds ran from 2019-2023 in Plymouth and Devon Wildlife Trust was one of seven project partners. The Green Minds project encouraged people to develop a ‘green mindset’, putting nature and wildlife at the heart of decision-making in Plymouth’s green spaces.
The Green Minds project provided a unique opportunity for Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) to work in partnership to trial new and exciting ways of taking action for wildlife in an urban setting like Plymouth. This case study looks at what we have done and learnt, highlighting the learning and legacy of the work of Green Minds.
Green Communities (Plymouth) is a pilot project following the successes of Green Minds Plymouth.
Green Minds Resources
What was DWT's role in the Green Minds project?
Helen Parr from DWT was the Urban Ranger on the Green Minds project. Helen worked across the city, including at Central Park, Derriford Community Park, Saltram and Devonport and Stonehouse.
Here are just some of the projects Helen supported:
- preparing a Management Plan for some fields owned by PCC which have the potential to become a ‘seed hub’ to help create wonderful meadows all around the city.
- organising a series of professional training sessions to upskill and enthuse Green Minds Project partners.
- supporting PCC in their grass cutting policy to make more space for nature in green spaces around Plymouth by sharing the good news and training PCC staff on the ground.
- advising on meadow restoration and our Action for Insects campaign.
- providing training days for community groups, volunteers and project partners, including tree-planting, restoring meadows and wildlife surveying.
- sharing resources so people can help wildlife in their city even more.
- looking at how habitat improvements can be targeted to create urban wildlife corridors in the west of the city, linking up areas such as road verges so that wildlife can move around more easily.
- working with PCC to set up trials of chemical-free alternatives to pesticides.
- providing training and support to Plymouth City Council’s Green Minds Apprentices.
You can take a look at what the Green Minds partners have been up to by searching #GreenMindsPlymouth on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Action For Insects
The Green Minds project provided a unique opportunity for DWT to trial new ways of taking action for wildlife in an urban setting. Using the messages from DWT’s Action for Insects campaign, it promoted urban rewilding, empowered people and changed values and attitudes to nature. Developing co-stewardship for land management through partnership working has been key throughout the project. Watch our video below to find out more about taking action for insects in communities.
Watch our video for Local Authorities, businesses and schools
Celebrating the green and the blue
Green Minds Plymouth championed both green and blue spaces in and around Plymouth. Through Shoresearch, a citizen science survey, volunteers learned more about Devon's marine wildlife and developed their understanding of this important habitat.
Volunteer Joe has attended shoresearch events throughout the year: "I went to my first shoresearch in 2021 after finding the Green Minds project on Twitter...I honestly didn't know how exciting the rockpools could be until I'd been to one of these - I would absolutely encourage anyone who thinks they might be interested to come along. It's great fun, and hopefully recording finds and changes in the rockpools can help to preserve the area for everyone to enjoy."
Photo, Kieron Huston
Take Action for Insects
Insects are a vital part of our natural world - they recycle nutrients, pollinate our plants, control pests and provide food for other animals. Sadly, they have suffered drastic declines - but it doesn't have to be this way.
DWT
Are you a community group?
If you want to start a local project that helps nature and involves others in your community, we can help you get your ideas off the ground.
Donate today for Devon's wild future
Who is leading the Green Communities project?
Green Communities is a partnership project between Plymouth City Council, National Trust, Devon Wildlife Trust, Real Ideas Organisation, and Zebra Collective. It is a pilot project to develop nature neighbourhoods funded through a combination of grants and contributions, including support from Heritage Lottery Fund Urban Nature Development Grant and Natural England.
