Linking Together to protect wild spaces across the Coalfields

Link Together is a project that aims to create better conditions for wildlife on 13 greenspaces across the Coalfields. Project Manager, Anne Gladwin, gives an update on what's been happening so far.

Link Together is about creating better conditions for wildlife on 13 greenspaces across the Coalfields, from the local park at Kier Hardie Park to the fantastic country parks at Herrington and Hetton Lyons. All these sites will benefit from work to help wildlife such as managing woodlands, planting trees and creating ponds and scraps.

Being out in nature is so good for overall well-being. Watching the birds, listening to the wind through the trees and feeling the sun (or rain!) on your face, just makes you feel better. The Link Together project is encouraging local residents to get out and enjoy the greenspaces and get involved by taking action for wildlife either by doing something practical or monitoring what wildlife is there.

Local residents are starting to find out more about the project and get involved in different ways. I have been out meeting groups and talking to people from across the Coalfields about the different sites, how to get involved and what is planned for the next couple of years.

Activity is already starting to happen!

Local residents braved the rain to start to clear away the litter and fly tipping from the greenspace around Herrington Burn. Link Together has been working with the Clean It Green project to see how to address the litter that has built up over a number of years on the greenspace and in the Herrington Burn.

Pile of litter cleared from Herrington Burn

It was really rewarding to see the rubbish taken away, seeing Herrington Burn looking so much better and knowing that rubbish won’t be flowing out to sea.

Group collecting items for craft activity

Local carers’ group, HOPs (Healing Opportunities Sunderland) teamed up with Anne and John Hayton (DWT’s Education Officer) to find out how being out in nature can be therapeutic. The group started out by exploring their local park at the Old Rectory, listening to bird song and naming the trees.

The group foraged for leaves and foliage, then used the them to create beautiful artworks on linen squares and to craft individual frames from pieces of wood. The group found being outside and getting creative, really enjoyable and relaxing.

Activity is really picking up pace and more events are planned for the summer including wildflower walks, outdoor yoga, scything and much more. See what's coming up.

I will also be attending a number of events over the summer to talk to residents about the project.

If you are a group in the Coalfields and would like to find out more, please get in touch. I would be happy to come and speak to the group or organise an activity on one of the Link Together sites.

Contact Anne Gladwin