Saddleworth ecoEvents
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Using the Power of Trees
Sam Bolton, of City of Trees, explained Greater Manchester's new tree and woodland strategy, focusing on the opportunities for Saddleworth and Neighbouring areas. After exploring the power of trees to provide benefits to a community, he gave guidance on how to identify and take part in tree and woodland projects.
As a result we are actively planning some tree planting in Uppermill.
If you would like to suggest a good site in Saddleworth, please contact us by emailing ecoevents@saddleworthhydro.co.uk
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Just in case you need to know, City of Trees is the Greater Manchester part of the Northern Forest and is delivered by the Community Forest Trust.
Incredible Edibles
Green spaces in villages towns and cities are always welcome. In today’s world, green spaces that produce food are even more welcome. Incredible Edible, which began in Todmorden, managed to make every available scrap of their town more beautiful and more productive. Mary Clear has inspired us to set up an Incredible Edibles group of our own..
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Carbon Co-op
Been thinking about making changes in your home to reduce its carbon footprint?
Want to know if Green Homes vouchers can help you achieve your projects?
The Carbon Coop helps people tackle climate change and save carbon in their homes and communities.
Carbon Coop’s Jonathan Atkinson helped us to understand and overcome the key barriers to organising, and paying for, retrofit works in our homes.
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Trees - are they the only answer?
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Using natural resources such as trees and green walls can reduce environmental problems, as well as improving the health and happiness of local communities.
The Ignition Project brings together 12 partners from across Greater Manchester. They aim to address the emergency caused by climate change. They are also investigating how we can fund the delivery of more nature based projects that will help make us less vulnerable to climate change.
We are also really keen to hear what you think of where you live – are there improvements that could be made using green infrastructure such as rain gardens? What are your priorities for improvement?
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Re-cycle – on two wheels!
When did you last get on a bicycle? Years ago - or just last week?
In the last few months with such radical changes in transport, sales of bikes have gone through the roof. And many are now rediscovering the joy of pedalling for good health as well as the virtuous feeling you get knowing how much you’re helping the environment. How is it that such an old technology – bicycles were invented in the early 19th century – is now so popular again? And now of course for those Saddleworth hills there are E-bikes…
Dan Makin told us about about how cycling has come to fit the bill for the modern age.
Warm Homes Oldham
Which of these looks more like your home?
The one on the right? The red and yellow areas of the infrared picture show it is leaking out a lot of heat energy into the atmosphere and wasting your money.
Warm Homes Oldham has run a free service since 2013. It offers advice, support and simple energy-saving measures not only to residents who are struggling to pay their energy bills but also to those who want to save money as well as to help reduce climate change.
The recent Government announcement means that grants will be available to householders and businesses who undertake household repairs and improvements which are environmentally friendly e.g. double glazing, low energy lighting, insulation. What might be possible or most effective for your property?
Anees Mank spoke about this highly successful service and answered questions on retrofitting properties.
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Think the RSPB is all about birds? Think again.
The very first Saddleworth ecoEvent was given on 14 July 2020 by Kate Handley, Site Manager of RSPB Dovestone.
Kate explained how the restoration of 4000 Ha of Saddleworth Moor, much of which is done by local volunteers, is bringing big benefits for local people as well as for wildlife. Over the last 10 years, the RSPB has focused on reducing the erosion of the peat and regenerating the natural vegation. This results in:
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Carbon being captured and stored as vegatation grows and new peat formed,
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Reduction of erosion of peat; eroded peat breaks down and directly contributes to climate change,
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Cleaner water going into the reservoirs, leading to lower water treatment costs and smaller bills for us,
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More water retained on the Moor, resulting in less flooding in the valley,
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Reduction in fire risk, as a wet Moor burns less easily,
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Larger populations of scarce uplands birds and other wildlife, as they need the natural vegatation to provide food and nest sites,
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A more attractive environment, giving greater pleasure and relaxation to visitors.
This moorland restoration work is done by RSPB staff and local volunteers, who get good exercise and fresh air. Other volunteers talk with visitors to Dovestone and explain what is going on. Everyone gets to make new friends and learn a great deal from the highly knowledgeable Dovestone team.
If you fancy getting involved yourself, then contact Ryan.Lloyd@Rspb.org.uk
