At the 20 Feb 2024 Park Managers Forum we heard from speakers working on triple wins - Nature, People and Climate Resilience - associated with changing greenspace management. We also discussed funding opportunities and costing such changes.

All links below open in new windows.

Presentations:

• Scene setting and news including new CEO, Scottish Budget and House of Commons urban greenspace inquiry - Ian Robertson, Programme Manager, greenspace scotland
  
  
• Road Verges and Greenspaces - Andrew Doyle, Conservation Officer, Plantlife - on grassland management including live pilot projects at local authority scale for the circular economy -                

We then had time to take PMF January's discussion of practicalities of grassland management for nature further - issues and solutions, including cuttings management and so on.

• New 10-year Urban Forest grant and support programme - Des Hackett, Urban Forestry Manager, Future Woodlands Scotland 

Michaela Roberts, Environmental Economist at the James Hutton Institute, on her current research for Scottish Government, costing the Scottish biodiversity strategy (presentation not available).

Resources:

• Common Purpose - Nature Recovery Leadership Programme for the North of England and Scotland Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Esmée Fairbairn - May to December 2024
  
  
• Future Woodlands Scotland including development of Urban Forest Grant scheme
  
  
• Tree Equity Score UK (at time of writing does not have coverage for all Scottish settlements)

Plantlife resources

• Plantlife website
  
  
• Detailed advice in response to PMF questions on equipment, wet conditions, and onsite management of cuttings
  
  
• Lincolnshire case study, including equipment used for roadside nature reserves
  
  
• Local Authority No Mow May Registration for 2024

Our grateful thanks to the Future Parks Accelerator and their sponsors for funding the 2023-24 Park Managers Forum programme.