Cypress Creek Renewables’ Post

The City of London Corporation has commissioned a report to show just what is the financial value of the benefits provided by the open spaces, parks and gardens that it operates in London and the South East. The City Corporation protects over 11,000 acres of parks, forests, heaths, gardens and historic open spaces. It spends £38 million a year on maintaining these open spaces. Many of these sites operate as charitable trusts and are run at little or no cost to the communities they serve. Additionally they include a wide variety of critically important wildlife habitats, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation, and National Nature Reserves, and are protected under legislation. The report, produced by Natural Capital Solutions Ltd, calculated the value of the benefits that these open spaces deliver to the public, including through recreation, health and wellbeing, air and water quality, and by removing carbon from the atmosphere. It found that the overall benefit-to-cost ratio is 16.4 – meaning that every £1 spent on maintaining and protecting these open spaces delivers £16.40 in ‘natural capital benefits’ for the public. The bottom line is that this is worth £282.6 million each year in benefits to society, and £8.1 billion over 50 years. Read the full report here https://lnkd.in/eitgc8ui

As we strive for sustainable solutions in stormwater management, it is crucial to recognize the remarkable capabilities of trees. 🌳💧 From bustling urban streets to sprawling rural landscapes, trees act as nature's shields and filters. They intercept and absorb rainwater, which reduces flooding, prevents stream erosion, and intercepts pollution. Research has shown that a single tree intercepts almost 300 gallons of rainwater per year. Trees also provide needed shade, are good for our mental health, and even have been shown to reduce crime. City of Raleigh’s Urban Tree Planting Program has added nearly 2,000 trees during the past growing season in neighborhoods, parks, greenways and along streets. Many other communities have similar programs. Let’s continue to support those efforts to make our neighborhoods greener, cooler and safer for everyone. 🌍 https://lnkd.in/eJVNvq4B #SustainableSolutions #GreenInfrastructure

For more than a century, the Saw Mill River in Westchester County, NY, has been plagued by pollution, putting both public health and the environment at risk. But now, community initiatives have revitalized the site, turning it into a thriving and vibrant green space. ✅ Groundwork Hudson Valley and the City of Yonkers are working together to bring the river back, letting it flow freely and restoring the ecosystem for cleaner urban water, thriving native species, and community enjoyment. These improvements are already making a difference in some areas, but there is still more to do. Cleaning up the Saw Mill River depends on everyone pitching in - from the community lending a hand to government support and ongoing water quality monitoring. Discover more about this exciting initiative that's not only creating a vibrant community hub but also protecting urban waterways and addressing the challenges of climate change. https://lnkd.in/ez42f6CZ #UrbanWaters #WorldWaterDay #ClimateAction

We like to talk about the benefits of good quality community spaces. Here are just a few more reasons why uplifting outdoor public facilities is a huge positive: Community Events: Green spaces serve as venues for community events, cultural activities, and social gatherings, fostering community spirit and engagement. These spaces become the heart of community life, bringing people together. Volunteerism: Community-led green space projects encourage volunteerism and civic engagement, empowering residents to take an active role in improving their local environment and creating a sense of ownership and pride. Historical Preservation: Revitalising green spaces can also involve preserving historical sites and cultural landmarks, providing a sense of continuity and heritage in urban development. Resilient Communities: Investing in green spaces helps build resilient communities that can better withstand and adapt to social, economic, and environmental changes. Agree with all of the above but not sure how to meet the brief without investment? GLE has the solution. Our leisure space transformation model allows us to deliver tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of works, at ZERO COST TO THE LOCAL COUNCIL. To discover whether your local spaces could qualify for a ZERO COST uplift, drop us a line or register for our brief on-demand webinar… WEBINAR LINK: https://ow.ly/e0iC50SeQWi #leisure #playgrounds #community #communityspace #publicspace #greenspace #sportsgrounds #environment #sustainability #carbonreduction #biodiversity #climatechange #crimereduction #climateresiliance #volunteerism #communityevents

We realized not only could we help outdoor gear continuously be recycled and put to use, but we also knew we could contribute to mother-nature in different ways by giving back and helping with conservation efforts. That's why our business model is setup to give back! 🌱 ⛰️ https://loom.ly/4hp6RkM Focusing on outdoor conservancy offers numerous benefits for businesses and communities. This includes outfits that do Environmental Impact, Economic Benefits, Corporate Social Responsibility, Employee Well-being, Regulatory Compliance, and Long-term Sustainability, among others. 🥾🎒 When you become part of the Nomadz community, you also start investing in our future. #differentway #nomadz #giveback #communities #environmental

How important is climate-resilient outdoor recreation in Colorado to you? If you've volunteered or donated to Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado before, it's likely your answer is "Very important!" @CoParksWildlife draft 2024 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) is here - it lays out a five-year strategy to ensure that Colorado’s outdoor recreation opportunities remain outstanding into the future while addressing challenges like climate change. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are already impacting outdoor activities. To adapt, the 2024 draft SCORP proposes advancing climate-resilient recreation and conservation through an improved understanding of climate impacts, collaboration with land managers, integrating natural hazard response plans, and implementing climate-resilient conservation projects. Let your thoughts be heard! Comment on the draft now: https://buff.ly/3zQIoRV Photo by Phil Demosthenes

Across the country, thousands of overlooked and neglected spaces are waiting to be transformed into vibrant urban gardens, trails, bike paths, and parks. 🌳 However, transformation isn't just about the physical change. Without careful planning and community input, land reuse projects risk leading to displacement and failure. Through her work on our Technical Assistance program, Jalisa Gilmore collaborates with numerous organizations to advance land reuse projects. Drawing from her firsthand experiences, Jalisa emphasizes the importance of principles like trust, transparency, and authenticity in driving impactful and lasting change. Learn from Jalisa's insights on how employing equitable development best practices can lead to more sustainable and impactful land transformations. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gRePkJgK Interested in learning more? Mark your calendars for September 12, 2024! Join us for an in-depth look at our newest guide: Advancing Equity in Land Reuse: A Practical Guide to Engaging and Activating Community Voices. More details here: https://lnkd.in/eZVXWxN2 #LandReuse #Brownfield #Community #EquitableDevelopment

Day 27. 🗑️🐀 The Great NYC Trash Saga is more than meets the eye. It's been a sweltering summer in Manhattan with the heat index pushing 100°F for the past few weeks. Every morning when I make my daily trek to WeWork, I get a fresh stench of rotten fish and diapers cooking on the sidewalk, hitting me like a truck. Welcome to New York, baby. Now, unless you've been living under a (probably rat-infested) rock, you've heard about the $4 million McKinsey study on NYC's trash problem. Cue the internet comedians, who have been filling my feed: "$4 million to figure out trash cans work? I could've told them that for free!" "Each PowerPoint slide cost $40K. That picture of a rat cost $7K of taxpayer money!" 🙄 I could just laugh and swipe. But I checked out the infamous slide deck (attached) and must say: Although it's not like when McK invented the bar code or helped eradicate polio, it's very clear that the armchair critics are missing the forest for the trees. Let's break it down: NYC knew they had a trash problem. Fun fact: Scabby the Rat is the local mascot used by unions during protests. The city hired McKinsey because they knew trash cans were the solution - not to figure out how to solve the problem. Why? Because the answer is simple, but the execution is tricky. We're talking about the massive cost of >$1 billion, a huge logistics, safety and public health concern, and a certain way to trigger its citizens: > The fleet of 2,200 garbage trucks is not equipped to deal with trash cans. > Bins have to be acquired and educated for the 3+ million households. > An incredible 150,000+ parking spots have to be repurposed in one of the densest urban areas in the world. That's why you bring in a McKinsey team - to dot the i's and cross the t's so that your plan doesn't become a billion-dollar dumpster fire. Let's put this in perspective: > The $4M of this 20-week project makes up ~0.3% of the total budget. > If their work prevents just a 1% cost overrun, that's an instant 3x ROI. You know what: I'll let you be the judge. Attached is the now world-famous McKinsey slide deck (Source: dsny.cityofnewyork.us) So, the next time you see someone calculating the cost per slide, remember: They're missing the point. They've probably never managed a project bigger than their kitchen renovation. They probably haven't smelled a New York summer sidewalk recently, either. So, New York, I'm rooting for you. Thank you for entertaining us in your speech, Mayor Adams, and may your rats need to find a new line of work. What do you think? Is the McKinsey study worth it? Should governments rely on private consultants? Or should we just wing it with a billion dollars of taxpayer money? Let's trash it out in the comments. // I'm challenging myself to 100 days of daily #RealTalk and usually focus on my entrepreneurial learnings and journey as ex-consultant. You're invited to follow along. #NYCTrash #UrbanPlanning #ConsultingRealities #100DayChallenge

Imagine a bustling urban neighborhood plagued by litter-strewn streets and neglected green spaces. Residents navigate through heaps of waste, and once vibrant playspaces are overrun with debris. Then, a community-led mass cleanup initiative is launched. Residents, well wishers,local leaders armed with gloves and trash bags, come together to restore their neighborhood. They pick up litter, clear out clogged drains, and rejuvenate neglected areas. As the cleanup progresses, a transformation takes place. Streets become cleaner, the the air quality is improved and the community's sense of pride is palpable. But the impact extends beyond aesthetics. By removing litter and debris, the cleanup helps restore the land to its natural state. It prevents pollutants from leaching into the soil and waterways, protects local flora and fauna, and fosters a healthier environment for all. Moreover, such an initiative has ripple effects of employment and getting carbon credits. Small businesses may emerge to support the cleanup efforts, offering services such as waste collection and innovation! A cleaner environment attracts investment and tourism, it gives hope for a bolstering economic growth and all the essentials of a good health. With each discarded item collected and every square meter restored, the community takes a step closer to reclaiming its natural spaces and safeguarding its future. The mass cleanup becomes a symbol of collective action, demonstrating the power of community engagement in land restoration efforts.. The world needs us, one cleanup at a time!! Here is an official invite to help mitigate this climate crisis