The aim of this page is to recognise, celebrate and encourage the self-empowerment of community agency networks (CANs) and community groups' activism for climate, environment and many other sustainability topics across the North East England.
High-street regeneration has to start with community trust and care, theconversation.com (Nov 21, 2023) - Social prescribing: coming to a forest near you?, positive.news (Sep 19, 2023)
- Northern Heartlands are a CAN that helps communities story their past, present and future, so they can act with confidence and power, The Daily Alternative (Apr 19, 2023)
Video gallery[edit | edit source]
Networks, sustainability initiatives and community involvement[edit | edit source]
- Northern Heartlands, charity based in County Durham bringing the creativity of artists together with individuals, community groups, schools and partner organisations. added 17:28, 27 April 2023 (UTC)
- Middlesbrough Environment City
- Transition Tynedale, Northumberland
Community resources[edit | edit source]
- The Annexe is a recently-refurbished (2010) local Community & Resource Centre run by the Wharton Trust in the Dyke House area of Hartlepool, Wharton Trust, added 12:50, 16 November 2023 (UTC)
Climate action[edit | edit source]
- Citizens' Assembly on Climate Change northoftyne-ca.gov.uk
- Climate North East
Biodiversity[edit | edit source]
The region has a diverse landscape that includes maritime cliffs and extensive moorland that contains a number of rare species of flora and fauna. Of particular importance are the saltmarshes of Lindisfarne, the Tees Estuary, the heaths, bogs and traditional upland hay meadows of the North Pennines, and the Arctic-alpine flora of Upper Teesdale.
The beauty of the Northumbrian coastline has led to its designation as an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) stretching 100 miles from Berwick-Upon-Tweed to the River Coquet estuary. Among the 290 bird species identified on the Farne Islands, is the rare seabird the roseate tern. One of the foremost bird sanctuaries and observatory for migratory and wading birds in the UK is now operated at "Saltholme" which is part of a wider site of special scientific interest called Seal Sands. The Saltholme reserve is managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). This project was pronounced as one of the best places to view birds by Bill Oddie, the former host of the BBC's Spring Watch Programme. In December 2012 he also presented the project with a prize as the UK's favorite National Lottery funded project.
The seal colony at Seal Sands on the mouth of the River Tees is thriving and in 2013 had more than 60 harbour seals. This is the only breeding colony of this species on the northeast coast. "Rainton Meadows" is also a recently[when?] created bird-watching site. The region is also the English stronghold of black grouse and contains 80–90% of the UK population of yellow marsh saxifrage.
The Magnesian Limestone grasslands of East Durham are a unique habitat not found anywhere else in the world which is particularly important to many species of butterfly and moths.
The Northeast of England also features woodland such as Kielder Forest, the largest man-made forest in Europe. This is located within Northumberland National Park and contains an important habitat for the endangered red squirrel. W
Environmental Records Information Centre for the North East of England
Trees, woodland and forest[edit | edit source]
Northern Forest[edit | edit source]
The Northern Forest is a proposed forest in England to encompass five community forests. The aim is to plant 50 million trees by 2032 which would provide a timber industry, leisure opportunities and environmental benefits. Initial funding for the project was granted by the British government in January 2018.
The proposed forest has been welcomed by the Woodland Trust.
The proposed forest would run the whole width of England from Liverpool and Chester in the west to the coastline of the East Riding of Yorkshire and would include the cities of Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Hull. The forest scheme is led by the Woodland Trust and would incorporate five community forests: the Mersey Forest, Manchester's City of Trees, the [White Rose Forest], the South Yorkshire Forest and Humber Forest. The aim is to plant 50 million trees in the 25 years between 2017 and 2042, a trebling of current planting rates in the area; this would help to increase the rate of reforestation in England, which is at record low rates and may currently be outweighed by the rate of deforestation for the first time in decades. The area currently has less than 8% tree coverage, one of the lowest proportions in the country.
Great Northumberland Forest[edit | edit source]
The Great Northumberland Forest is a proposed new forest in the north of England. Announced in September 2019, it is intended that up to a million trees will be planted between 2020 and 2024.
Other woodland[edit | edit source]
The Northeast of England also features woodland such as Kielder Forest, the largest man-made forest in Europe. This is located within Northumberland National Park and contains an important habitat for the endangered red squirrel. W
Community and voluntary action[edit | edit source]
Cycling activism[edit | edit source]
The Bike Farm, information from ourgateshead.org - ScratchBikes, Newcastle
Localism[edit | edit source]
Supporting community business in the North East, powertochange.org.uk, added 10:23, 12 November 2021 (UTC)
Social inclusion[edit | edit source]
- Report of the Newcastle Fairness commission, July 2012 (PDF)
see also: Social deprivation W
Sustainable transport activism[edit | edit source]
Do The Local Motion, Darlington
Towards sustainable economies[edit | edit source]
- For Solidarity North East, solidarityeconomy.coop
News and comment[edit | edit source]
England region plans world-first for climate change teaching...[1] Jul 30, 2019
- Newcastle builds £1.7m protected city centre cycleway, Dec 3, 2016...[2]
- £1m cycle super-highway proposed for Newcastle city centre, February 4, 2015...[3]
- Newcastle selected as one of six cities in the UK to receive funding to support efforts in improving food culture and becoming a Sustainable Food City, December 17, 2013...[4]
- Stockton-on-Tees council refitting 1,600 private homes to save energy and keep fuel bills low, March 12, 2013...[5]
References
Past events[edit | edit source]
- June 7 - 8, 2014, Newcastle Community Green Festival
About North East England[edit | edit source]
North East England is one of nine official regions of England at the first level of ITL for statistical purposes. It has three administrative levels below regional level: combined authorities, unitary authorities or metropolitan boroughs, and civil parishes. There are also multiple divisions without administrative functions; ceremonial counties, emergency services (fire-and-rescue and police), built-up areas and historic counties. The largest settlements in the region are Newcastle upon Tyne, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Gateshead, Darlington, Hartlepool and Durham.
