Thursday 18 September, 5.30pm to 7.30pm

Andy Basham from Coppice Designs has kindly offered to host our next Sustainable Uttlesford member event at Hales Wood.

Located just outside of Saffron Walden, Hales Wood is a national nature reserve and a site of special scientific interest.

Members are invited to join Andy for a guided tour to see what goes on in a fully-fledged, sustainable and viable traditional coppice woodland, with a special focus on producing biochar from unsaleable brash (e.g blackthorn), forgotten ancient technology that's been re-discovered.

This is a wonderful opportunity for members to have a private tour and find out more about coppicing, coppice crafts and woodsmanship.  

Important information

The ground is uneven and rough so may not be suitable for those with mobility issues. Please be aware there are no toilet facilities on site.  

Places are limited, so book your place ASAP. When booking please indicate how you will travel to the site so we can manage car parking. There is limited parking for cars, so car share is a must.

► Book now for this event

Saturday 6 September, 1pm to 4pm

Quaker Meeting House, Chapel Hill, Stansted CM24 8AE

Sustainable Stansted will share findings of the parish-wide biodiversity study and launch a new community resource which will provide information on what we can all do, in our gardens and beyond, to protect and enhance biodiversity in locally.

There will also be nature-themed activities for children and a Plant & Seed Exchange too. 

Hear about the fascinating creatures living in and around Stansted, ancient woodland within the parish boundaries, habitats that can be enhanced to encourage at-risk species, such as newts, making your garden more resilient to the changing climate, and how to have a swift box installed at your home or workplace.

Groups joining the event include Climate Change Gardening, Essex County Council Local Nature Recovery, Essex Field Club, Gorsefield Rural Studies Centre, North East Herts Swift Group, Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council, and Uttlesford Badger Group.

All welcome. Free entry and refreshments. No need to book.

Saturday 13 September, 9am to 3pm

Hatfield Peverel Village Hall CM3 2HP

This Rural Community Council of Essex hosted event is aimed at parish councils, village hall management committees, and community groups.

It will include presentations from the Essex Local Nature Recovery Strategy and the link with local plans and biodiversity net gain, providing an opportunity to explore what this means at a parish and community level and the actions that can be taken.

Attendees will also hear inspiring stories from other Essex parishes, with workshops to showcase the progress made in communities.

Delegate fee (including buffet lunch): £35

► Get more information about the event

► Reserve a place by email: enquiries@essexrcc.org.uk

Waste and Recycling Workshop        

Wednesday 12 November, 7pm to 9pm

Foakes Hall, Great Dunmow

Details coming soon...

The Local Nature Recovery Partnership has a new funding opportunity designed to empower local communities to take action in nature.

Community groups, charities, schools and other local organisations can apply for grants of £500 to £2,000 to support projects that contribute to local nature recovery and community wellbeing.

They are looking for projects that deliver meaningful environmental and community benefits, and that align with the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

► Get more information about the fund and apply

Many thanks to all who joined the community energy webinar (29 July). It was an informative and inspiring evening, including a call to action for community energy in Uttlesford.

Kirsty Shanahan from Community Energy Pathways kicked off the evening with an overview of how community energy works in practice, outlining the opportunities and outcomes it can bring to the local community, including examples of different community energy projects and how to get involved and start your own community energy project.

Sarah Burgess then provided an inspiring case study of community led climate action from Grand Union Community Energy. This was followed by Bob Burlton and Chris Dodge from Sustainable Uttlesford who set out the ambitions of Community Energy in Uttlesford. For more information on how to get involved, please contact: bobburlton@outlook.com

► See the presentation slides from the webinar