We want to see a Dorset rich in wildlife, for everyone and valued by everyone. Vital to this is making more space for nature not only in the countryside but in our urban areas too, making green spaces that are welcoming for wildlife and for people.

The national Wildlife Trusts movements aims to see 30% of land and sea managed for nature by 2030 and we are working towards this in Dorset. To do this, we need more people to be part of the solution. Acting for nature can take many forms and the more people who engage, the better the outcome for nature. One of the most important things that everyone can do is to make your voice heard by decision makers and local authorities and highlighting the need to address the climate and ecological crises we are facing today.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council have recently launched a series of consultations on a range of aspects of their management of green spaces and parks. These strategies and plans will shape how BCP Council manages and delivers healthy outdoor spaces in urban areas.

Taking part in these consultations gives you the opportunity to ensure that their strategies for these spaces meet the needs of local people and reflect what you want to see in terms of providing benefits for communities and nature in the BCP area.

There are three aspects of BCPs outdoor spaces which are currently being consulted on and we have given a bit more information on each of these below.

Green Infrastructure Strategy 

Green Infrastructure refers to the natural or designed ‘green-and-blue’ (plants and water) components of a developed landscape that provide ecosystem services with environmental, economic and social benefits to communities.

Benefits include:

• Climate resilience through urban cooling temperature regulation and natural flood management solutions.
• Improving sustainability of food resources and pollination services.
• Ensuring clean air and clean water.

Features such as trees, hedgerows, wildflowers, green roofs and walls, ponds and wetlands also help make urban areas visually attractive, supporting mental health and wellbeing.

Well-designed green infrastructure provides space and connectivity for wildlife, joining core areas of high nature value such as Poole Harbour and coastal habitats, our protected heathlands and the Avon and Moors River systems with other important wildlife habitats. It includes locally important sites such as Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCIs) and Local Nature Reserves, as well as features which provide steppingstones and corridors for nature such as hedgerows, tree lines, small watercourses, ponds and wildflower areas. It includes opportunities for recreational spaces which are well designed and multi-functional, providing for both the needs of people and wildlife and creating safe spaces which allow people to connect with their environment.

Integrating Green Infrastructure is a key part of strategic spatial planning and goes hand in hand with BCP Council’s developing Local Plan which will determine the shape of development within the BCP area until 2038. BCP Council’s Green Infrastructure Strategy has been recently published and you can view the full document here. 

In particular, the current consultation asks for views from local people to help identify opportunities and understand community priorities when it comes to greening the urban environment.

Have your say here.

Tree and Woodland Strategy

trees are a hugely important feature of green infrastructure. Having a strategy to provide a locally specific framework for sustainability and enhancement of trees and woodland within the BCP area is very useful for ensuring that the council delivers on its aims. BCP Council’s Tree and Woodland Strategy is currently in development and will encompass all trees and woodland within the area, not just those within council ownership.

This consultation is an opportunity to make sure that local views on the future of trees and woodlands in the area directly inform BCP’s strategy and shape the council’s vision, priorities and actions.

Maintaining and retaining existing trees and woodlands of value and ensuring that the right trees are planted in the right places is vital so that that long-term benefits for people and biodiversity can be delivered and maintained. Challenges such as maintenance of new planting and climate resilience need to be addressed to ensure that the species chosen are suitable to provide for our native wildlife and that trees reach their full potential.

BCP Council are also asking for specific input on opportunities for new planting and for enhancing existing trees and woodland. Your views and suggestions are incredibly important, have your say here. 

Play Survey

Linked to the above consultations, BCP Council are also asking for input on how you and your family use play spaces within the council area.

Play spaces are a part of the multi-functional usage of outdoor recreational areas and are enhanced by the surrounding environment. Play spaces can also incorporate opportunities for natural play and provide a safe place for engaging with wildlife and the environment as well developing imagination, improving health and wellbeing and encouraging a positive attitude to the environment.

We want to see more young people having the opportunity to connect with nature close to home.

You can provide your ideas and opinions on BCPs play spaces here.

Everyone has a part to play in taking action for nature in our urban areas, from creating your own wildlife friendly space, to volunteering, to joining in with one of Dorset Wildlife Trust's projects such as Nextdoor Nature which aims to empower community groups to improve the greenspace in their local area. Learn more about the Nextdoor Nature project here.