So, here we are.  The first Healing Nature blog.  If you aren’t already familiar with the project, you can read more about us in this news post and in the upcoming Wildlife Durham magazine (issued three times a year to all Durham Wildlife Trust members). 

It is slightly alarming to think that, as I write this, the project is simultaneously in its infancy and 6% of the way through our project timeline.  It is because we have a really short timescale in which we need to achieve a lot.

Over the next 14 months we will be working with our partners at Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland councils to deliver a programme of conservation work, and community engagement and education events across twenty sites in the region.  The map below shows where we will be working and gives a flavour for some of the practical conservation activities in store.  We will keep you informed with the exciting plans for individual sites over the coming weeks and months.

Throughout these first few weeks, we have been busy getting the team in place, getting to know the sites, and developing the project plan.  We have already started some practical work, but we are looking forward to lockdown easing and mobilising people to really get stuck in.  There will also be events running from Easter onwards – so keep an eye out for these.

You will be able to keep up to date with the project via these blogs and through Durham Wildlife Trust’s social media – we will make sure to label our posts with the hash tag #HealingNature. 

We would love for you to get involved.  You can share your wildlife sightings from Healing Nature sites using the hashtag on our social channels or email them to us for us to share if you prefer. 

As soon as it is safe to do so, we will be looking to recruit some local volunteers to help improve these sites for people and wildlife.  Joining our volunteering tasks is a great way to meet new people, spend quality time outdoors, get some exercise without paying gym fees, and to help make a difference to these valuable community green spaces.  As soon as we are recruiting, we will put up details on how to apply.

Finally, if you see us out and about on your local site, please stop and say hello – we would love to talk to you.    

Healing Nature is a Green Recovery Challenge Fund and Partner funded project.

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