General Discussion - Sustainable Hackney2024-03-28T15:53:27Zhttps://sustainablehackney.org.uk/forum/categories/general-discussion/listForCategory?feed=yes&xn_auth=noLooking for eco-friendly garden designertag:sustainablehackney.org.uk,2021-06-22:6446498:Topic:1355422021-06-22T10:01:26.239ZKirsten Fosterhttps://sustainablehackney.org.uk/profile/KirstenFoster659
<p>Hi</p>
<p>Thought someone here might be into sustainable garden design, or know someone who is. I'm looking for a garden designer to help me revamp and redesign my garden with a strong wildlife-friendly/ sustainable focus. Mainly need help with looking at the space and getting the most from it, finding best spots for things like storage, seating, pond etc. We probably need more help with the landscape aspects than the planting aspects but would also welcome advice on what to plant where.…</p>
<p>Hi</p>
<p>Thought someone here might be into sustainable garden design, or know someone who is. I'm looking for a garden designer to help me revamp and redesign my garden with a strong wildlife-friendly/ sustainable focus. Mainly need help with looking at the space and getting the most from it, finding best spots for things like storage, seating, pond etc. We probably need more help with the landscape aspects than the planting aspects but would also welcome advice on what to plant where. Someone practical, adaptable, creative and friendly would be ideal! Budget isn't a massive issue. We don't want anything fancy, and would rather reuse and repurpose stuff, but we're not looking to do it on the cheap. Email kirsten@kirstenfoster.com if you're interested or might know someone who is.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Kirsten</p> 5 litre bottles needed for tree wateringtag:sustainablehackney.org.uk,2021-05-05:6446498:Topic:1353492021-05-05T10:37:20.500ZClare Taylorhttps://sustainablehackney.org.uk/profile/ClareTaylor
<p>The tree watering groups for Millfields Park are running out of the 5 litre bottles used to transport the water to the trees in the watering cart - they get heavy use and don't survive very long.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8894979893?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8894979893?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a> Does anyone have any they have no use for? If so, please contact the user group at …</p>
<p>The tree watering groups for Millfields Park are running out of the 5 litre bottles used to transport the water to the trees in the watering cart - they get heavy use and don't survive very long.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8894979893?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8894979893?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250" class="align-center"/></a>Does anyone have any they have no use for? If so, please contact the user group at <a class="ox-807dcb260d-moz-txt-link-abbreviated mailto-link" href="mailto:chair@millfieldsuser.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">chair@millfieldsuser.org.uk</a> <span>.</span></p> Online activites for eco-learning at hometag:sustainablehackney.org.uk,2020-05-01:6446498:Topic:720732020-05-01T16:51:51.499ZEcoACTIVEhttps://sustainablehackney.org.uk/profile/ClareFlenley
<p><span lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">ecoACTIVE is an innovative environmental education charity dedicated to exploring complex issues of sustainability. We seek to reach out to young people and communities and inspire them to become agents of change.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Normally, we engage young people via workshops we deliver at schools around Hackney. Schools are currently shut, of course, but we are keen to…</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">ecoACTIVE is an innovative environmental education charity dedicated to exploring complex issues of sustainability. We seek to reach out to young people and communities and inspire them to become agents of change.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Normally, we engage young people via workshops we deliver at schools around Hackney. Schools are currently shut, of course, but we are keen to keep engaging and educating, so have created online learning resources for young folk to use at home.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #000000; font-family: &quot; gill sans&quot;,&quot;gill sans mt&quot;,gill,&quot;century gothic&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Find them at <a href="https://ecoactive.org.uk/index.php/learning-at-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://ecoactive.org.uk/index.php/learning-at-home</a></span></span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p>W<span lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">e hope you are all well and safe. </span></p> Growing Communities is recruiting this year's growing traineestag:sustainablehackney.org.uk,2020-01-10:6446498:Topic:714172020-01-10T17:57:16.018ZRichenda Wilsonhttps://sustainablehackney.org.uk/profile/RichendaWilson
<p><strong>Do you want to develop your growing skills?</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>Growing Communities is an award-winning social enterprise based in Hackney. We run a weekly organic fruit and veg box scheme, the Growing Communities farmers’ market and a Patchwork Farm in Hackney, made up of several small urban market gardens.</p>
<p></p>
<p>We are currently recruiting three urban trainee growers. The (unpaid) traineeship will involve learning all the different aspects involved in growing…</p>
<p><strong>Do you want to develop your growing skills?</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>Growing Communities is an award-winning social enterprise based in Hackney. We run a weekly organic fruit and veg box scheme, the Growing Communities farmers’ market and a Patchwork Farm in Hackney, made up of several small urban market gardens.</p>
<p></p>
<p>We are currently recruiting three urban trainee growers. The (unpaid) traineeship will involve learning all the different aspects involved in growing vegetables with a particular emphasis on salad leaves. These traineeships are aimed at people who want to develop their food-growing skills. Trainees will work alongside the grower, learning all aspects of running our urban market gardens. The traineeship involves one day a week. In addition there will be monthly evening tutorials. The traineeship lasts for six and a half months, from the second half of March until the end of September.</p>
<p>If you would like to apply, please follow the link below. Please make sure you fill in all parts of the application form. The deadline for applications is Monday 3 February and we will let applicants know by Friday 7 February if they have been shortlisted for interview. Interviews will take place on Thursday 13 February. The traineeship will begin week commencing 23 March.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Download the job description, application form and recruitment monitoring form from the Growing Communities website: <a href="http://www.growingcommunities.org/jobs/">http://www.growingcommunities.org/jobs/</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>GC is also looking for a part-time, paid Veg pack supervisor too. Details on same web page.</p> Green infrastructure 2tag:sustainablehackney.org.uk,2018-12-08:6446498:Topic:676512018-12-08T07:30:39.790ZKathryn Johnsonhttps://sustainablehackney.org.uk/profile/KathrynJohnson
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/274554462?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/274554462?profile=original&width=500" width="500"></img></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Green Infrastructure Working Group began getting to grips with the extensive literature and many plans. We found the <a href="http://www.bluegreencities.ac.uk/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Blue-Green Cities Research…</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/274554462?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img width="500" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/274554462?profile=original&width=500"/></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Green Infrastructure Working Group began getting to grips with the extensive literature and many plans. We found the <a href="http://www.bluegreencities.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blue-Green Cities Research project</a> was the best academic paper of those in the references. It was also thought the <a href="https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/environment/parks-green-spaces-and-biodiversity/all-london-green-grid" target="_blank" rel="noopener">All London Green Grid</a> is well worth looking at. The <a href="https://www.london.gov.uk/WHAT-WE-DO/environment/environment-publications/green-infrastructure-audit-best-practice-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Victoria BID Green Infrastructure Audit best practice guide</a> sets out how to go about an audit, developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating a programme.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">New York's 'Parks without Borders' inspired Sam Parry, Hackney Parks Development Officer, to research development of green corridors in the USA and Oslo. Some of the schemes in Sam's presentation are BIG: Boston's Emerald Necklace is 45 ha of connected green space, New York's Highline greened an abandoned railway and for Boston's Rose Kennedy Greenway they buried a road. Even with more modest ambitions and funding, it's quite easy to see on the map how Hackney's splendid parks and gardens can be connected up to build resilience and support biodiversity. Discussion focussed on the importance of balancing demands and the need for funding, particularly for maintenance.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">We also discussed the Stoke Newington gyratory changes in detail. You can read the comments submitted <a href="https://sustainablehackney.org.uk/profiles/blogs/stoke-newington-gyratory-our-comments-on-the-proposals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br/> Hackney Council are consulting on the <a href="https://consultation.hackney.gov.uk/streetscene/lip/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Local Implementation Plan 2019-2022</a> (Transport Plan) until 16 December and the <a href="https://www.hackney.gov.uk/LP33" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Local Plan 2033</a> until 07 Jan – please comment.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Minutes of the first two Greening Infrastructure Working Group meetings are attached.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p> Wild Action Programme - free opportunity for young people (11-25 years)tag:sustainablehackney.org.uk,2018-11-23:6446498:Topic:675192018-11-23T17:15:27.156ZKeepingitWild_EMhttps://sustainablehackney.org.uk/profile/KeepingitWildEM
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Wild Action Programme</span></strong></span> <strong>–</strong> <em>free nature conservation skills workshops</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is an exciting free opportunity for groups of <strong>young people</strong> (between the ages of <strong>11-25</strong>) to learn and develop key skills in urban nature conservation…</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Wild Action Programme</span></strong></span> <strong>–</strong> <em>free nature conservation skills workshops</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is an exciting free opportunity for groups of <strong>young people</strong> (between the ages of <strong>11-25</strong>) to learn and develop key skills in urban nature conservation at a London Wildlife Trust nature reserves, gain a Level 1 Media and Journalism accreditation and work towards a <a href="https://www.johnmuirtrust.org/john-muir-award">John Muir Award</a>, as part of the new youth-led programme <a href="https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/keeping-it-wild"><strong>Keeping it Wild</strong></a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Young people will:</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Learn a range of key <strong>practical skills</strong> involved in managing an urban nature reserve (including <strong><a href="http://www.woodberrywetlands.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Woodberry Wetlands</a></strong>);</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Work with experienced conservation officers from London Wildlife Trust;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Explore a range of <strong>media</strong> and learn from a qualified and experienced journalist documenting experiences via <strong>nature photography, social media</strong> & <strong>film production</strong>;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Experience hands-on, interactive and practical conservation work that makes a real difference to the quality of our nature and wildlife in London.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Key info:</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A free programme for <strong>11-25</strong> year olds;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Series of <strong>8 workshops</strong>, dates and timings can be flexible to suit your timetable;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Flexible framework within which activities identified by your school college or youth group can be tailored to meet the needs of the group and the curriculum via the John Muir Trust environmental award scheme;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">No prep or resource needed, we provide all staffing, equipment & session planning;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Lunch is provided</strong> and <strong>travel expenses are covered</strong>.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Booking details:</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><u>We are currently taking bookings for the New Year 2019</u></strong></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you are interested in booking this opportunity for your young people, please contact <strong><a href="mailto:dlemon@wildlondon.org.uk">dlemon@wildlondon.org.uk</a></strong> or call <strong>020 7261 0447</strong> or <strong>07851 862 305</strong>.</span></li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>What is Keeping it Wild?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Keeping it Wild is a new three-year project, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, that will <strong>empower and inspire 600 young people</strong> aged 11-25, from backgrounds currently under-represented in natural heritage, to gain vital skills while discovering, conserving and sharing their experiences of the capital’s wild spaces. Over the next three years the project will enable the Trust, and other partner organisations such as the John Muir Trust, to inspire more young people to care about, and protect, wildlife and wild spaces. Alongside John Muir Trust, LWT will be working closely with London Youth, and Headliners (UK).<strong>You can read more about the project <a href="https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/keeping-it-wild">here</a>.</strong></span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><img style="margin: 0px; width: 700px; height: 200px; float: left;" alt="" src="https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/sites/default/files/images/KIW%20EMAIL%20PARTNERS%20BANNER2.jpg"/></strong></span></p>
<p></p> Greening infrastructure - and bluetag:sustainablehackney.org.uk,2018-11-07:6446498:Topic:671772018-11-07T23:12:25.892ZKathryn Johnsonhttps://sustainablehackney.org.uk/profile/KathrynJohnson
<p></p>
<p><strong>A Blue-Green Infrastructure Plan</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>The immense pressures on our environment, climate change, biodiversity loss, demand for food, shelter and resources, pollution, mean that we must make our ecosystem as resilient as possible. To do that we need to bring together knowledge and expertise of ecology, urban design and human relations to land and environment. Developing a plan means we can take a strategic approach, plan and deliver steps to restore and…</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>A Blue-Green Infrastructure Plan</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>The immense pressures on our environment, climate change, biodiversity loss, demand for food, shelter and resources, pollution, mean that we must make our ecosystem as resilient as possible. To do that we need to bring together knowledge and expertise of ecology, urban design and human relations to land and environment. Developing a plan means we can take a strategic approach, plan and deliver steps to restore and support our ecosystem from the smallest space to the whole landscape.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Hackney Council made a commitment to "develop a Public Realm <strong>Green Infrastructure Plan</strong>, with the aim of ensuring the selection and spatial distribution of our trees and plants is driven by the best available research to improve Hackney's resilience to climate change-induced extreme weather events, such as floods and heatwaves, and contribute towards fighting the borough's poor air quality" in the Hackney Labour manifesto for 2018-2022.</p>
<p></p>
<p>We absolutely welcome this commitment and its scientific basis. However, we have some concerns. It should also cover the blue infrastructure - water bodies and our influence on water quality of the River Lea. And we need an ecosystem approach which does not recognise political or ownership boundaries (such as the public realm). We will also need to examine all infrastructure to assess its impacts and identify all opportunities. We look forward to working with the Council to develop and implement a really good plan.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Working on it</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>Sustainable Hackney kicked off discussion on Blue-Green Infrastructure at our AGM in June 2018. Mireille Tchapi from the University of Westminster gave an overview of scientific and social approaches. I looked at how we can build on GIPs already developed by other local authorities. John Little, Clapton Park Estate contractor and proprietor of Green Roofs and Marie Murray and Brian Cummings of Dalston Eastern Curve Garden looked at existing work to develop our green infrastructure. You can read about <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/133941444?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the discussions at our AGM</a> here.</p>
<p></p>
<p>We've set up a Working Group to see how we can contribute to developing the Plan and what we think needs to be in it. The first meeting in October had a brainstorm on the Council's commitment, welcomed it but expressed the concerns set out above. We also had a discussion on the proposed changes to the Stoke Newington Gyratory and were deeply concerned to see that major surface works are to be undertaken with no inkling that the opportunity to defragment habitat and build ecosystem resilience has even crossed their minds. We agreed to write to the Council, the Mayor of London and Transport for London on all these concerns.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The Working Group's next meeting on 26 November will look at London and other local authorities' plans. Everyone agreed to read the London report and one other GIP. Why not have a look at your home or favourite town's GIP and come along and discuss what we can build on? You can blog or comment on them on this page too. Here's some <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/133941418?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener">REFERENCES</a> to GIPs but if your chosen town is not there just search the web and see what you can find. Details of the meeting are <a href="http://sustainablehackney.org.uk/events/sustainable-hackney-green-infrastructure-plan" target="_self">here</a>. Venue is still to be arranged so please check back later.</p>
<p></p> Map of Hackney playgroundstag:sustainablehackney.org.uk,2018-09-24:6446498:Topic:668022018-09-24T15:06:10.943ZHelen Longhttps://sustainablehackney.org.uk/profile/HelenLong
<p><a href="https://www.livingwithwarmth.com/london-childrens-map">https://www.livingwithwarmth.com/london-childrens-map</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>The map includes:</p>
<p></p>
<p class="font_9"><span class="color_15">Playgrounds, parks, nature reserves, community gardens and other green spaces.</span></p>
<p class="font_9"><span class="color_15">Child friendly museums, theatres, art galleries, libraries and cafes.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.livingwithwarmth.com/london-childrens-map">https://www.livingwithwarmth.com/london-childrens-map</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>The map includes:</p>
<p></p>
<p class="font_9"><span class="color_15">Playgrounds, parks, nature reserves, community gardens and other green spaces.</span></p>
<p class="font_9"><span class="color_15">Child friendly museums, theatres, art galleries, libraries and cafes.</span></p> Recycling air pollution - yes, really!tag:sustainablehackney.org.uk,2017-09-06:6446498:Topic:612582017-09-06T17:48:45.688ZDiana Weirhttps://sustainablehackney.org.uk/profile/DIANAWEIR
<p>This is the most encouraging and revolutionary development that I've yet seen on this dismal topic: <a href="http://www.citymetric.com/horizons/here-are-five-other-things-we-could-do-air-pollution-3207" target="_blank">http://www.citymetric.com/horizons/here-are-five-other-things-we-could-do-air-pollution-3207</a></p>
<p>This is the most encouraging and revolutionary development that I've yet seen on this dismal topic: <a href="http://www.citymetric.com/horizons/here-are-five-other-things-we-could-do-air-pollution-3207" target="_blank">http://www.citymetric.com/horizons/here-are-five-other-things-we-could-do-air-pollution-3207</a></p> Innovative green walls to minimise pollutiontag:sustainablehackney.org.uk,2017-07-11:6446498:Topic:599022017-07-11T10:03:01.109ZDiana Weirhttps://sustainablehackney.org.uk/profile/DIANAWEIR
<p>I've just been sent an amazing article on how Madrid is using a radical new type of green wall planting system to combat their arid heat and pollution: …</p>
<p>I've just been sent an amazing article on how Madrid is using a radical new type of green wall planting system to combat their arid heat and pollution: <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/07/09/495905421/hot-dry-madrid-aims-for-a-cooler-greener-future?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20170709">http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/07/09/495905421/hot-dry-madrid-aims-for-a-cooler-greener-future?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20170709</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Surely this ingenious technique could also be used here on the walls of high-rise developments, to lessen the harsh impact of the concrete curtain walls which make these so environmentally unfriendly. That would help to redress the balance between hard and soft landscaping which is so badly upset by high-rise development being concentrated into small sites in a formerly low-level urban environment. Not only back lots but gardens are increasingly being built over and even parts of public parks are increasingly threatened with redevelopment.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Current 'green wall' techniques here are much less well integrated with the buildings than this clever system, which also insulates against extremes of temperature.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Can more be done to spread this kind of thinking, with a view to improving the environmental impact not only of new projects but by retrofitting existing developments?</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>