We attempting to create a community outdoor learning area now that it has been embedded into the national curriculum. The space we create will provide a wealth of benefits to residents and school children whilst also creating a space where wildlife can continue to exist in a town under extremely heavy development. The space has a pond that needs emergency restoration and is the main focal point of the area. Recent, heavy development has seen this wonderful community asset completely dry out for the last couple of years since the inlet has been built over. We therefore need to increase the water holding capacity to retain water through the summer months. The pond already has a platform incorporated where classed are help but we are now having to cancel classes due to loss of water. Increasing the water depth now also requires some additional health and safety features. We also intend on improving accessibility of the area for everyone by incorporating mobility paths and seating.

What we'll deliver:

• Restore the community pond
• incoperate educational signage
• Incorporate tables and seating
• Restore existing habitats and create new ones
• Incorporate mobility paths
• Incorporate edible flowerbeds and trees

Why it's a great idea:

This community space not only provides an area for education and shaping the next generation of green space custodians but will help promote sustainable thinking for a brighter future that the one portrayed. We hope this project will provide the kind of community space where different community types can integrate, close the generational gap, reducing loneliness in the community but also a place to think, explore and escape in quieter areas. There is a new wealth of evidence of the physical and mental health and welfare benefits of community green space and we hope that this project could achieve this whilst reducing pressure on the local health services. This project also allows students from the local college who have become STEM Ambassadors to refine there skills in teaching that are transferable to their chosen career paths. Volunteers who participate in our activities will also be able to develop skills, knowledge and expertise in environmental enhancement, habitat management.

Steps to get it done:

• Emergency pond restoration (deepening and lining).
• Foundations for mobility access to project area.
• Habitat restoration and creation.
• Adding signage, tables and seating

This project we hope working with other like minded partners in the area will form part of a green infrastructure project that will form a wildlife corridor between the urban environment and the River Ganel Marine Conservation Zone. This corridor will ensure that pollinators and other beneficial wildlife essential to our projects sustainability can continue flowing in and out of our urban green spaces. A continuous supply of pollinators will mean we do not have to keep replacing our plants any longer.