Josh Stutz’s Post

Why we share everything When I traveled to America a few years ago with the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, I was struck by the incredible transparency and communication shown by park foundations and park services in their detailed and accessible annual reports. These reports were more than just documents; they were tools to reflect on the year, celebrate achievements, and share progress on strategies and goals. I returned to Hackney inspired, determined to replicate this approach in our Parks and Green Spaces Service. Fast forward to today, I am proud to say that Hackney's Parks and Green Spaces Annual Report has become an integral part of how we operate. These reports allow us to review the year, measure our impact, and—most importantly—share our progress with the community. We have just released our 2023/2024 report, which highlights some incredible achievements: - 31 Green Flags - The restoration of Abney Park Cemetery - The transformation of Fairchild’s Garden - Over 1000 hours of Volunteer Engagement - New drinking fountains, air source heat pumps and composters helping us progress toward our zero-carbon goals. Beyond celebrating these successes, our annual report also provides a roadmap for the future. We outlined ambitious plans for 2024/2025, including the launch of the Hackney Buzzline—a 4km pollinator corridor—and the opening of new kiosks and cafés in our parks. These reports are also essential for tracking our progress in delivering the Parks and Green Spaces Strategy. They enable us to stay accountable to our commitments, such as enhancing biodiversity, improving accessibility, and fostering community engagement. Our reports ensure that the people of Hackney can see the impact of our work, whether it’s through refurbished playgrounds, new sports facilities, or initiatives to make our parks more inclusive and sustainable. Annual reports have proven to be invaluable in shaping how we communicate, reflect, and grow. I am grateful to our dedicated staff and volunteers who make these successes possible. Together, we are ensuring Hackney's parks and green spaces are welcoming, accessible, and thriving hubs for everyone. If you're curious about our work or want to get involved, check out our latest report - https://lnkd.in/egmJ48P4

The way Birmingham City Council manages it’s parks, green and blue spaces and even some of its grey spaces has changed in line with Birmingham’s City of Nature Plan which you can read here: https://lnkd.in/efNv9cx2 It is an ambitious 25-year plan for the whole city, but it starts in its heart with six wards most in need of change, we call these the priority Red Wards: • Bordesley and Highgate • Balsall Heath West • Castle Vale • Gravelly Hill • Nechells • Pype Hayes Key to this are people who are already championing the good design, care and use of their natural environment and those who want to get started doing this. We call them Green Champions. They may be community workers, teachers, council officers, councillors, police officers, business owners, Friends Group leaders, students, volunteers, or anyone else that could help form a network across their neighbourhood or ward. Over recent years the number of Birmingham City Council officers caring for Birmingham’s natural environment have decreased due to budget pressures on local government. The council is very aware of and grateful for all the people who are already working as "Green Champions" across the city, without them the city would be far worse off. But it is in the Red Ward areas where nature is most under pressure but residents are still in need of the benefits that nature offers where change is happening first. What we know is that if we work together things happen better and faster and that’s why we are reaching out to you with a very simple ask. We want to connect you to the Birmingham Park Ranger Service who are delivering the Wild at Heart Project in the red wards in the heart of the City: https://lnkd.in/eYBFfQST There already are amazing networks working across the whole city, like the City of Nature Alliance of organisations, Birmingham Open Spaces Forum and Friends Groups, Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust Members, Litter Picking Groups, Neighbourhood Forums etc. If you are already part of one of these groups that’s great, please still join the Green Champion Network to receive specific information directly from the Rangers providing opportunities to get advice, have your voice heard and, if you would like to, meet other Green Champions in your area. There is no commitment further than sending your details to the Ranger Services Programme so that your local Rangers can contact you and start a conversation to make sure you get regular updates from them (even if you already know them) and help them to help you improve your local environment and connect people to nature. Please share this with anyone who might also want to get involved in the Rangers Healthy Parks Programme. Thank you. Please click here to complete the form: https://lnkd.in/eQDtav_A Thank you

At the programs UNIMAS Volunteer Day, I had attended in a plogging activity from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. It was held near the CUBE, next to CTF1, and involves picking up rubbish while jogging. This was my first time plogging, so I was excited to try something new. The plan of cleaning up the environment while working out sounded interesting and important. The plogging route included places where many students and staff frequently pass. As we jogged, we collected rubbish such as plastic bottles, food wrappers, and old papers. It confused me how much trash had been spread in such a busy place. Working with the other participants was fun we helped each other find additional rubbish and shared advice on how to clean up quickly. By the end, we managed to fill several trash bags, and I felt proud of what we had done. The result made me realize how important it is to care for the environment. Seeing garbage everywhere made me realise how many individuals do not take care to dispose of their rubbis properly. I found that even small activities, such as picking up trash or decreasing waste, canmake a big impact. The project also showed me the importance of teamwork in overcomingchallenges like pollution. One of my favorite aspects of the plogging event was the sense of success. After cleaning the area, I looked back and noticed how clean and orderly it had become. I felt happy knowing that I helped contribute to the clean of the surrounding area. It also motivated me to keep doing small things for the environment, such as recycling and not littering. In the end, the plogging activity was an enjoyable experience. It was fun, educational, and important. I realised that even simple tasks like picking up rubbish can lead to a healthier environment. I intend to take part in more of these events in the future and push others to car about the environment .This event pushed me to be more aware of the environment and to push others to do the same.I want to participate in more activities like this in the future, not just because they are enjoyable, but also because they have an important effect. By joining together as a community, I believewe can make the world a cleaner, healthier, and more beautiful place for ourselves and futurehave a big impact over time. Participating in this activity told me how important it is to keep connected to nature and appreciate the natural world around us. It also reminded me that change starts with each individuals; when everyone helps, even if its a small amount, it adds up fast. This event pushed me to be more aware of the environment and to push others to do the same.I want to participate in more activities like this in the future, not just because they are enjoyable,but also because they have an important effect. By joining together as a community, I believe we can make the world a cleaner, healthier, and more beautiful place for ourselves and future .

Reflection of volunteerism project I participated in a community event where the goal was to combine jogging with environmental clean-up—this is known as “plogging.” The event was organized in my university, which had been experiencing a build-up of litter. Many people in the community were concerned about the environmental impact of the waste and wanted to take collective action. I had been thinking about becoming more involved in environmental initiatives and saw this as an opportunity to do so. My task was to jog through the park while picking up litter along the way. The aim was to help clean up the area while also promoting physical fitness. We were given gloves, bags, and a route to follow, with the challenge being to balance jogging while still gathering as much trash as possible. I joined the group at the designated starting point and began jogging while actively looking for litter along the route. I picked up trash, sorted it into recycling and waste bags, and made sure to remain mindful of my pace to avoid exhausting myself too quickly. I also made an effort to engage with other participants, sharing tips for collecting trash efficiently and encouraging others to keep going. I made sure to stay hydrated and take breaks when necessary, especially since it was a bit more physically demanding than a typical jog. By the end of the event, our group had cleaned up a significant amount of trash from the park, including plastic bottles, wrappers, and other debris. The park looked noticeably cleaner, and I felt proud of the collective impact we made. I also managed to complete the jogging portion without overexerting myself, and it was a great workout. The event had a positive turnout with people expressing interest in organizing similar activities in the future. Through this plogging experience, I learned how meaningful it can be to combine environmental action with physical activity. Not only did I help improve the local park, but I also gained a greater sense of connection to my community. I realized that individual actions, even if small, can contribute to a larger positive impact when done collectively. Plogging also taught me that environmental efforts don't have to be daunting or time-consuming; they can be integrated into everyday activities like jogging. Moving forward, I plan to incorporate more of these activities into my routine and encourage others to join in as well.

🌳 Council seeks the community’s feedback on Buller's parks and reserves. 🌿 Council has launched a survey to gather community input on the future management of council-administered parks and recreational reserves. 👍 The community’s feedback will help to create a draft Reserve Management Plan that balances community enjoyment, environmental protection, and long-term sustainability. It also ensures that reserve use, development, management and protection is consistent with its intent. 💭 The reserve management survey asks questions about the importance for the community, usage ideas, desired future community activities, what events the community would like to see hosted, what facilities are used most, how to increase the reserves’ ecological value, upgrades and improvements to amenities, and how to advance the access to these places. 🗺️ Council has published an interactive online map on its community engagement hub, ‘Let’s talk Buller’, that includes information about each reserve’s amenities, current use, management and additional information. 👉 The interactive map and the survey are available at https://bit.ly/3A0nDnk

350 years ago, the villagers of Limmersdorf built a huge dancefloor in the branches of this tree. 🌳💃 And now their time has come... This is called a 'Tanzlinde', or 'dancing linden tree'. You can find them across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, though this one is a real beauty. 😍 The tree is up to 800 years old and trained around the dancefloor, which is several metres in the air. They still hold folk dances there during village festivals and celebrations. 🥳 W͟h͟y͟ ͟a͟m͟ ͟I͟ ͟s͟h͟a͟r͟i͟n͟g͟ ͟t͟h͟i͟s͟?͟ ͟🤔 • Because it's a brilliant example of putting nature at the heart of community life.    • Because it shows when we talk about "community-led green space", what that means is only limited by our imaginations.    • Because there is always incredible inspiration to be drawn from the past, and from other cultures around the world. • Because, frankly, it's incredibly cool and I just wanted to share it. 🤷 At Hubbub we're bringing nature closer to people, and people closer to nature. You can check out the Community Nature Network, linking community-led green space all over the UK, or the 100 Nature Hubs we've funded this year. We want to do more, so if you want to get involved with creative projects around green spaces, do get in touch. Maybe you could even help us build a dancing Linden tree to last for the next 350 years. ++ P.S. I'm CEO of environmental charity Hubbub. We create campaigns with business, government and civil society that inspire environmental action. Follow me - Alex Robinson - for insights on environmental change, leadership and more. #environment #sustainability #nature #urbangreening #Tanzlinde

On this World Environment Day, we are happy to ANNOUNCE an exciting partnership with the Boy Scouts of America! If you have a Scout looking to earn more credits outside their Pack program over the summer, the Inclusive Treecycle Program is geared up and ready to go on Sunday, June 23rd. Message me directly for more details! We are honored to support your goal of becoming a Messenger of Peace. The Inclusive Tree Cycle Program is a community-driven initiative designed to teach the vital pollination process while contributing to the local environment. By participating, scouts will consume locally grown produce and actively conserve fresh local produce and fruit-bearing trees, fostering a healthier and more sustainable community. The program was developed in response to the unnecessary waste of abundant fresh food, contributing to our community's toxic emissions. We aim to conserve fresh local produce and fruit-bearing trees and to educate and empower community members. Project Overview: Nature/Conservation Project Objective: Complete a nature/conservation project in your area. This project should involve improving, beautifying, or supporting natural habitats. Through this experience, scouts will learn to respect nature and understand their role in its preservation. Educational and Environmental Impact: Learning Respect for Nature: Scouts will learn the importance of respecting and nurturing nature by actively participating in the entire cycle, from harvest to planting. Community Service: This program emphasizes community support and the benefits of helping neighbors and local ecosystems. Sustainability: Scouts will understand the significance of reducing waste and promoting sustainability through composting and planting. Hands-On Experience: The hands-on nature of the program ensures an engaging and memorable learning experience. Fostering an Inclusive Lifestyle within the community. If your Scout Pack wants to join the Inclusive Tree Cycle Program, please reach out today. #WorldEnvironmentDay #ScoutCertificateofCompletion #MessengersofPeaceAward #BridgingCeremony #InclusiveTreeCycleProgram #LocalHarvest #CommunityOutreach #BePrepared #BeKind #BePresent #BeInclusive https://lnkd.in/gK8_Cyvi

The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond published an article titled "Investing in the Great Outdoors" in their latest Econ Focus magazine. The piece details how some rural and small-town communities across the fifth district see potential for outdoor recreation to reinvigorate their economies. Our Virginia Outdoors is highlighted as an example of helping coordinate support at the state, regional, and national levels. "Environmental conservationists and outdoor recreation advocates in Virginia joined forces to form the Our Virginia Outdoors coalition in 2021, which advocates for dedicated, consistent state funding for natural resources. Such funding would both help preserve those resources for future generations and better capitalize on the economic potential of outdoor recreation." "Virginia has 42 state parks and 66 natural area preserves, a good portion of which are open to the public. And yet, when you look at the state budget and ask whether we are putting money toward this as a priority, the answer is a resounding 'no,'" says Mikaela Ruiz-Ramón, the public funding and policy manager for the Virginia chapter of The Nature Conservancy, a global nonprofit environmental group. Read the full piece here by Tim Sablik: https://lnkd.in/euf4jbwp?

On this World Environment Day, we are happy to ANNOUNCE an exciting partnership with the Boy Scouts of America! If you have a Scout looking to earn more credits outside their Pack program over the summer, the Inclusive Treecycle Program is geared up and ready to go on Sunday, June 23rd. Message me directly for more details! We are honored to support your goal of becoming a Messenger of Peace. The Inclusive Tree Cycle Program is a community-driven initiative designed to teach the vital pollination process while contributing to the local environment. By participating, scouts will consume locally grown produce and actively conserve fresh local produce and fruit-bearing trees, fostering a healthier and more sustainable community. The program was developed in response to the unnecessary waste of abundant fresh food, contributing to our community's toxic emissions. We aim to conserve fresh local produce and fruit-bearing trees and to educate and empower community members. Project Overview: Nature/Conservation Project Objective: Complete a nature/conservation project in your area. This project should involve improving, beautifying, or supporting natural habitats. Through this experience, scouts will learn to respect nature and understand their role in its preservation. Educational and Environmental Impact: Learning Respect for Nature: Scouts will learn the importance of respecting and nurturing nature by actively participating in the entire cycle, from harvest to planting. Community Service: This program emphasizes community support and the benefits of helping neighbors and local ecosystems. Sustainability: Scouts will understand the significance of reducing waste and promoting sustainability through composting and planting. Hands-On Experience: The hands-on nature of the program ensures an engaging and memorable learning experience. Fostering an Inclusive Lifestyle within the community. If your Scout Pack wants to join the Inclusive Tree Cycle Program, please reach out today. #WorldEnvironmentDay #ScoutCertificateofCompletion #MessengersofPeaceAward #BridgingCeremony #InclusiveTreeCycleProgram #LocalHarvest #CommunityOutreach #BePrepared #BeKind #BePresent #BeInclusive https://lnkd.in/gKgX9vnK

🪚 One of the things that's been an unlooked for benefit of founding Wonderland Community Project (https://lnkd.in/g9cugym6) has been the number of experiences we have all had that have changed how we interact with the world - how we think about ourselves. Sometimes, this can be at the broader level - such as seeing so many volunteers and community members joining us to plant trees, build infrastructure, or share stories. 🕳️ Sometimes, it's a lot narrower - such as digging a hole. 👷 When we started the project in 2021, I'd never dug a hole for a fence post. I didn't know how deep it needed to be, nor that it would take 4 of us 4 months during the summer heat of 2023 to dig 3 holes. Three! In my backyard in Chicago, we had talked 8 years ago about digging in a fence post in order to have a clothesline - but the logistics seemed impossible (how deep? what about frost? how make it stable?) ⛏️ Last weekend, in preparation for a Halloween party, I dug a hole straight down 42 inches into Chicago sand, cut a post to size and dropped it in. In 40 minutes, the (w)hole thing was over. I had definitely invested more time worrying about this than it took me to do it. 🤗 It's a small story, and not one without elements of privilege - a yard, the tools, the time, and all for leisure. But there are also aspects here of community - how doing something with others helps you to understand that it can be done, and erodes the fear we have of showing up as ourselves in the world: what do I know about setting fence posts? Or using a scythe, or doing a prescribed burn, or building a (particularly well-appointed) compost toilet? My brother-in-law calls it 'quitando miedos' (shedding fears) - overcoming these concerns and engaging with the world. 👻 Come join us for events including a #griefretreat and #workday in November - and start shedding off your own fears!