Stroud Valleys Project nominated for Octavia Hill Award

Octavia Hill - NT founder

I've just nominated Stroud Valleys Project for the Octavia Hill Awards Green Space Guardians category 2013. My entry into this National Trust competition is copied below - the closing date is 28th Feb. SVP would be a worthy winner - and now more than ever they need support - do consider supporting their appeal - see here.

There will be 12 shortlisted nominations (3 in each category) which will be put forward for a public vote. The public vote will take place between Monday, 25 March and Sunday, 31 March 2013. Keeping fingers crossed for SVP - it was hard keeping to the 1,500 character limit - I found I had to rewrite at last minute as they include gaps as characters!

My submission:

Stroud Valleys Project(SVP) have a fantastic reputation for working with all sections of the community; inspiring and training people to discover and nurture the wildlife and green spaces on their doorsteps. SVP work in partnership with many organisations to create new green spaces and restore neglected ones.

This last year saw SVP do 104 hedgerow surveys, 3120 hedgerow plants planted and 958 trees planted, all with the help of 1612 volunteer days worked. Among their many projects are;

§ ‘Get Growing’ supporting 23 local schools to grow and harvest their food by providing support, a tools bursary, recipe book, school growing calendar and a teaching pack. Over 1500 children engaged in SVP activities.

§ Rackleaze Wetland; working with volunteers to create a pond, boardwalk, hedge and wildlife habitats that are transforming a wasteland into a species rich nature reserve which now boasts otters and water voles.

§ Green Team volunteers recovering from mental distress and substance misuse work to increase biodiversity of local green spaces. This has led to a specific women-only food growing and conservation skills group to improve self-esteem.

SVP staff could not be more helpful and empowering to the individuals and groups with whom they work. SVP are also continually developing new ways of championing green spaces like their Summer Bike Ride, events at green spaces, nature walks or their new eco shop where people can drop in, find out about SVP’s work and get wildlife advice.