Pledge to plant more trees
We are planning to plant 20,000 trees across the district over the next year, if funding applications are successful.
Trees are a powerful force against climate change - a single tree can absorb 22kg of carbon dioxide per year and 100 square metres of woodland can store nearly 4 tonnes.
We will be discussing our plans with our five area committees over the coming weeks.
The council has 856 hectares of woodland plus more trees in parks and green spaces and 18,290 trees on our streets. Our Trees and Woodlands Team has already increased our woodland areas by 23 hectares (3 per cent) between 2012 and 2019.
Research is now being carried out to look at possible sites for further tree planting in public green spaces, agricultural land, highways and other suitable sites in each of our five neighbourhood areas.
We are working with two Government initiatives which aim to accelerate tree planting to counteract climate change and loss of biodiversity - the Northern Forest and the Urban Tree Challenge Fund.
The Northern Forest aims to create 120 miles of forest in the North of England, while the Urban Tree Challenge aims to help maintain tree numbers in urban areas.
We are currently applying for funding from a number of organisations including Trees for Cities, Northern Forest and the Woodland Trust.
Can you help?
We would also like to hear from any landowners who would like to take part in this scheme or anyone who can offer financial support. They can email woodlands@bradford.gov.uk
|
Climate emergency declared in Bradford district’s schools
Bradford Council has passed a motion to celebrate and support its schools in declaring a climate emergency.
Cllr Caroline Firth, who is Assistant Executive Member for Climate Emergency, spoke at last week’s Full Council meeting (5 hours, 8 minutes into the webcast) on the leadership being shown by children and young people across the district in taking action against climate change.
She highlighted a number of innovative initiatives adopted by schools including:
- a district-wide roll-out of ‘No Idling Zones’ around schools starting this month
- development of Play Streets and potential road closures near schools to support walking and active play
- technical advice and support to schools looking to invest in renewable energy
- largest ever roll-out of 20mph zones around schools
- ‘Bikeability’ programme offering cycling lessons to schoolchildren across the district.
We have resolved to provide increased support for these initiatives, as well as involving schools in our tree planting programme so that children can plant trees in their communities, and to advertise grant funding opportunities relating to climate emergency.
We are also part of the Leeds City Region Climate Coalition and have accepted the challenge of achieving net zero carbon by 2038 making significant progress by 2030.
Energy Heroes
Energy Heroes is a free project, aimed at Year 5 primary school pupils, funded by Northern Power Grid.
It has the capacity to work with 30 schools in Bradford before March.
Energy Heroes is a maths resource that teaches energy usage, data handling and sustainable behaviour using maths and science. Three schools have signed up so far, and as part of the package will receive a free energy audit that could end up saving them an average of ten per cent on their energy bills.
As part of the project there are also challenges for the pupils to take the behaviour changes into their homes.
Schools can contact project worker Tami Pein on 07913 858352 to find out more and register their interest.
|
School Striders success
A successful scheme to encourage families to stop driving to school has received funding to be extended.
The School Striders project ran over ten weeks of the summer term and worked with four schools in Little Horton ward. It achieved a six per cent switch from car use to active travel, such as walking, bicycles or scooters.
It has just been announced that the project will continue, thanks to an extra £5k funding from Bradford NHS Clinical Commissioning Group. This will enable it to work with more schools and revisit those already involved to assess whether they remain committed to active travel.
The scheme, delivered by Cecil Green Arts, worked with All Saints C of E, Horton Park Primary, Newby Primary and St Stephens C of E.
It aimed to raise awareness of the dangers of air pollution and the health benefits of ditching cars. Work with pupils included creating signs, placards and gas masks to highlight healthier travel and air pollution; sending out surveys to all families in Key Stage 2 and using testing tubes to detect levels of nitrogen dioxide from diesel vehicles in the surrounding area.
|
Help to become more energy-efficient
A special scheme can help businesses and public sector organisations get free advice on how to cut carbon emissions and save money with renewable energy or energy efficiency.
The Energy Accelerator, which is run by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in partnership with Leeds City Region, uses a team of expert advisors to help develop low carbon projects.
It provides free support in energy efficiency and renewable energy, district heat networks and street lighting.
The scheme is currently working with Bingley-based Beckfoot Multi-Academy Trust to devise an energy conservation programme for all of its sites.
Measures may include renewable energy and lighting and heating upgrades. This has a potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 300 tonnes and considerable financial savings.
Energy Accelerator is co-funded by the EU Research and Innovation programme, Horizon 2020, and the Northern Powerhouse.
To find out more contact patricia.davey@westyorks-ca.gov.uk or jelena.covic@westyorks-ca.gov.uk
Bowling Cemetery Action Day
A Volunteers Action Day is being held at Bowling Cemetery, between 10am and 2pm, on Tuesday 29 October.
Residents can join staff from our Bereavement Service, Bradford East Neighbourhoods Team and volunteers from McDonalds to clear grot spots and tidy up overgrown graves. There will be a volunteers’ briefing at 9.45am in McDonalds, Rooley Lane.
Denholme Juniors create wildlife garden
Young people from Denholme Juniors Youth Club have been working with our Neighbourhood and Parks Teams to create a wildlife garden at Foster Park.
The area includes a pond and planting area and the Juniors have been keeping the area tidy with regular litter picks.
|
