Biodiversity Grant Awarded to Community Group

Biodiversity Grant Awarded to Community Group

A local residents’ group has been awarded money to help them restore a valued area of open space near their houses.

The Kirkbie Green Community Group have received a grant of £500 from the Kendal Town Council’s dedicated biodiversity and nature recovery fund.

The group, with support from Kendal Conservation Volunteers, plan to use the funding to plant wild flowers and ferns in Kirkbie Green, near the Lakeland town’s Gooseholme Park.

Previously the green had been used as a muddy short cut, but thanks to the group’s initiative access has been restricted and walkers and cyclists are now encouraged to use an adjacent tarmac footpath. The diversion will enable more plants to grow and allow the green to thrive as a biodiverse space.

Chair of the Town Council’s Environment Committee, Cllr Eamonn Hennessy said ‘We are delighted to fund the work of this community group and see residents once again actively supporting nature recovery on their doorstep. Kirkbie Green will be enhanced as a result and we encourage more community groups to apply so we can repeat positive action across Kendal’.

Kirkbie Green resident Austin Challis commented: “It was a warm and unifying experience for the Kirkbie Green residents and local groups supporting rewilding projects in our community. A celebration of repurposing our green space from quagmire to green corridor”.

Local MP, Tim Farron joined the Mayor and councillors presenting the cheques: “This is exactly what we need in our communities – spaces linking up green corridors and building sustainable environment for future generations”.

Kendal Town Council’s commitment to Biodiversity has been further strengthened by the Committee’s decision to adopt a Pesticides Policy which ensures the Town Council no longer use pesticides on the green spaces it manages. The Committee also approved a trial using Creeping Thyme on a difficult triangle of land by the roadside. It is hoped that it will outcompete weeds and therefore reduce the need to use strong chemical pesticides, which can be harmful to watercourses and insectlife.

To apply for a Biodiversity grant or learn more about our policies please visit our website or get in touch via office@ Kendaltowncouncil.gov.uk