Land Trust chief executive, Euan Hall, has called on the government to deliver on its commitments in their 25 year environmental plan as the national land management charity publishes its 2017-18 annual report.
As the Land Trust looks back on a year which has seen 1.3 million people spend time on Land Trust spaces, 40,000 volunteer hours completed and 13,200 individuals taking part in educational and training activities, the Trust is now turning its attention to areas such as the environment.
Hall, said, “As the 15th anniversary of the Land Trust rapidly approaches it is incredible to see how far we have come and how many people’s lives we are positively affecting.
“We are an organisation with big ambitions and we recognise that we now have an opportunity to help tackle some of the biggest issues currently being faced by our country.
“It’s great to see the government taking the lead in creating a long term plan for protecting and enhancing the UK’s precious environment. It makes good economic sense and it’s also vital for public health and well-being, both physically and mentally.
“All government departments need to play their part in creating good quality, healthy places for living and leisure, particularly in urban areas. We urge them to provide clear investment frameworks for the creation, enhancement and long term maintenance of green spaces and green infrastructure fit for the 21st century.”
The Land Trust owns 64 parks and green spaces throughout the UK, which they say are managed in a way that benefits the surrounding environment and wildlife.
The value of green spaces to the environment cannot be overestimated. Not only do the Land Trust’s parks, nature reserves and urban spaces create places for nature to flourish, but equally provide vital mitigation against flooding and pollution, protecting communities as well as wildlife.
The charity’s work allows them to conserve and protect these areas while building resilience and creating places for communities and nature to enjoy for the long term.
During 2017-18 the Land Trust has run 129 BioBlitz events across their sites to enable them to monitor and protect species and work with communities to unlock their understanding of the natural environment and the species they live alongside.
