WOODY CIC are delivery tree planting across the borough with sessions on Saturdays until 2nd April!
To get involved contact Gareth – gareth.muir@prospectsfoundation.org.uk to find out how to get involved!
Tree Planting at St. Oswalds Primary and Nursery School
St. Oswalds Primary and Nursery school have been working closely with the Outdoor Learning Officer to design an outdoor learning area on their school grounds. Thanks to a donation of trees from Carbon Footprint Ltd., the eco-council were able to break earth in November and begin planting the trees that will be the heart of the outdoor classroom.
Winter Bird Walk
Outdoor Learning Officer Danielle led a Winter Bird Walk around Peel Park and The Coppice. We saw jays, robins, blackbirds, great tits, magpies, blue tits, long-tailed tits and greenfinches. During the walk we discussed climate change and how changing weather patterns are affecting trees and migrating birds.
AQA in Biodiversity, Air Quality and Horticulture
On 17th November, Outdoor Learning Officer Danielle delivered an AQA in Biodiversity, Air Quality and Horticulture. The session took place at The Prospects Foundation’s Environment Centre on Broadway, Accrington. Everyone who attended got a free spider plant and aloe vera to take home with them. If you’d like to see what future AQAs we are delivering, check our Events page here
Head Ranger deadline extended
We’ve made the decision to extend the application deadline for our new Head Ranger post to Monday 27th September to tie in with our deadline for the Local Nature Reserve Office Post.
The deadline for both jobs is now 5.00pm on Monday 27th September.
Interviews for both post will now take place on Thursday 7th October in Accrington.
Click HERE to visit the Jobs page where you can find out more about both posts and also the paperwork you’ll need to subvmit an application.
PROSPECTS 2020-2021 Annual Report
Our new annual report is now available and is hot off the press! Despite Covid, PROSPECTS had a very positive year, with new funding streams, new projects and new staff!
Take a look at our 2020/21 Annual Report to see what we’ve been up to – it might tempt you to get involved!
Hard copies are also available from our office on Broadway in Accrington.
Borrow a Bike
Sara Britcliffe MP borrowed one of our electric bikes to promote the benefits of sustainable transport!
Cycling is a great way to experience the countryside and enjoy the outdoors. The feeling of freedom and closeness to nature is hugely beneficial to people’s wellbeing as well as the obvious health and fitness benefits of riding a bike. It’s also a great way to tackle climate change.
We have 7 bicycles and 2 electric bikes available for community use. All you have to do is find an organisation that will vouch for you and pop into the Environment Centre on Broadway in Accrington to complete the paperwork.
Why not do your bit for climate change and start riding a bike!
We’re recruiting for a Head Ranger
We’re pleased to announce that we’ve been successful with funding bids to the Green Recovery Challenge Fund, the Kickstart Scheme and the Windfall Fund. The funding will allow us to run a new Ranger programme in Hyndburn until the end of March 2023.
The programme will involve a new Head Ranger and two new trainees. They will be organising access and habitat activities to engage our local community in looking after public sites. In addition, the new team will be organising a Hyndburn Walks Festival.
We are now recruiting for the Head Ranger post. The deadline for applications is Monday 13th September.
To see the Job Pack click HERE.
Woodnook Pioneers
Prospects have been awarded funding from the Fun With Food and Friends – Hyndburn HAF Programme. We will be delivering the Woodnook Pioneer programme, six outdoor environmental sessions aimed at getting children aged 8-14 to engage with nature and learn about climate change. To book a place for your child, fill out the online form here or email danielle.rowlands@prospectsfoundation.org.uk or ring 01254 230348
Fantastic Funding News!
The PROSPECTS Foundation Natural Connections project has been awarded a grant from the Government’s £40 million second round of the Green Recovery Challenge Fund, a multi-million pound boost for green jobs and nature recovery
Ninety nature projects across England have been awarded grants from £68,100 to £1,950,000 to create and retain over 2,500 green jobs, backed by the Government’s £80 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund.
Work will be carried out on over 600 sites from North Northumberland to the tip of Cornwall, and combined with the first round, almost a million trees will be planted, contributing towards the Government’s commitment to treble tree planting rates across England by the end of this Parliament.
The Prospects Foundation will be using the grant to help connect people to natural green spaces in the borough of Hyndburn. Prospects will recruit one Head Ranger, two trainees and a minimum of 12 volunteers to improve access to local areas and carry out habitat improvements to benefit wildlife. As part of the project Prospects is committed to delivering 500 events and activities and actively engaging with more than 700 local people. This means everyone will have a chance to get involved, enjoy the outdoors and have an opportunity to create deep and meaningful connections with the natural environment.
Phil Barwood, Chair of The Prospects Foundation, said “We’re delighted to have been awarded a grant from the Green Recovery Challenge Fund. We’re excited to be in a position to be able to deliver real benefits to local people and wildlife whilst at the same time helping to train up environmental project staff for the future.”
The Green Recovery Challenge Fund is a key part of the Prime Minister’s 10 Point Plan to kick-start nature recovery and tackle climate change. Connecting people with nature is another priority theme: by increasing access to nature and greenspaces, projects will support both physical and mental wellbeing. The Government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund was developed by Defra and its Arm’s-Length Bodies. The fund is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England, the Environment Agency and Forestry Commission.
Environment Minister, Rebecca Pow, said: “The diverse and ambitious projects being awarded funding today will help environmental organisations employ more people to work on tree-planting, nature restoration and crucially, help more of the public to access and enjoy the outdoors.
“Through our £80 million Fund, we are on track to support over 2,500 jobs, plant almost a million trees and increase nature recovery at a huge scale across the country, which will help us deliver against our 25 Year Environment Plan.”
A full list of awards is available to view here.
#GreenRecoveryChallengeFund #TogetherForOurPlanet
Green Mentor ‘End of Term’ general update
Now that our Green Influencers are breaking up for School holidays, I thought it would be a great time to reflect on the Green Mentor project and what has been achieved so far this year and also to showcase the hard work the children have put in working on their chosen projects.
For any local schools who haven’t yet taken up the opportunity to get involved please take a look what you could be part of in the new term.
First up some thank yous are in order!
Thank you to the schools we have worked with this term and who have booked me in for the new term already, a big thank you to the young people for working so hard on their chosen projects, I have had a great time working on them with you and some great memories to cherish.
So what you all really want to know is what have our Green Influencers been up to?
Here are a selection of photos of projects that children have come up with over the last 6 months if you would like more details please click on each schools update.
That’s just a taste of what we have been up to and there will be plenty more to come in the new term.
If you would like your school to be involved please get in touch we would love to hear from you.
Kind Regards
Joel Henderson Prospects Green Mentor.
Green Mentor ‘End of Term’ update for St. Andrew’s
Now that our Green Influencers are breaking up for School holidays, I thought it would be a great time to reflect on the Green Mentor project and what has been achieved so far this year and also to showcase the hard work the children have put in working on their chosen projects.
St Andrews Oswaldtwistle made a Youtube video about plastic pollution https://www.youtube.
That’s just a taste of what we have been up to and there will be plenty more to come in the new term.
If you would like your school to be involved please get in touch we would love to hear from you.
Kind Regards
Joel Henderson Prospects Green Mentor.
Green Mentor ‘End of Term’ update for Broadfield School
Now that our Green Influencers are breaking up for School holidays, I thought it would be a great time to reflect on the Green Mentor project and what has been achieved so far this year and also to showcase the hard work the children have put in working on their chosen projects.
Broadfield school have been planting seeds, making eco bricks and they also took a trip to Fleetwood to learn about ocean microplastics and do their bit to stop them!!
That’s just a taste of what we have been up to and there will be plenty more to come in the new term.
If you would like your school to be involved please get in touch we would love to hear from you.
Kind Regards
Joel Henderson Prospects Green Mentor.
Green Mentor ‘End of Term’ update for Baxenden St. John’s
Now that our Green Influencers are breaking up for School holidays, I thought it would be a great time to reflect on the Green Mentor project and what has been achieved so far this year and also to showcase the hard work the children have put in working on their chosen projects.
Baxenden St Johns have been bag making from textile scraps to highlight fashion waste.
That’s just a taste of what we have been up to and there will be plenty more to come in the new term.
If you would like your school to be involved please get in touch we would love to hear from you.
Kind Regards
Joel Henderson Prospects Green Mentor.
Green Mentor ‘End of Term’ update for St. Wulstan’s
Now that our Green Influencers are breaking up for School holidays, I thought it would be a great time to reflect on the Green Mentor project and what has been achieved so far this year and also to showcase the hard work the children have put in working on their chosen projects.
St Wulstans Great Harwood made an Elephant Eco Brick Sculpture to highlight single use plastic waste and a seriously endangered animal the Asian Elephant . This project was completed in conjunction with Bob Turner from Cafod.
The Children also drew elephant pictures on elephant dung paper.
That’s just a taste of what we have been up to and there will be plenty more to come in the new term.
If you would like your school to be involved please get in touch we would love to hear from you.
Kind Regards
Joel Henderson Prospects Green Mentor.
Community Fun Day! Saturday 10th July
This Saturday will be our second ‘Community Fun Day!’ at Oakhill Park Incredible Edible Garden.
Following on from our successful Community Fun Day at our office on Broadway in Accrington, Danielle, Joel and Garden with be at the Incredible Edible Garden in Oakhill Park to meet the public and tell them about the fantastic work Prospects Foundation is doing in Hyndburn!
If you would like to come along the team with be there from 10.30am until 1pm with Activities and information.
For any queries please contact Gareth on gareth.muir@prospectsfoundation.org.uk
To sign up as a Volunteer please follow the link to find out more! http://prospectsfoundation.org.uk/volunteering
Nature Sketching
On 28th June, we held a nature sketching event at The Hollins and Jubilee woodland. We explored nature through different sketching techniques. This mindful session allowed participants to relax and appreciate nature and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. One participant said, “It’s good to slow down and observe nature and appreciate it in a different way”.
Growing Together 2021 comes to an end!
Growing Together 2021 has wrapped up for this year, with 1,000 growing packs going out to Hyndburn residents across the borough!
With packs dropped off at schools, community groups and places of worship the project has reached a broad range of people across Hyndburn.
Feedback has been great with lots of great photographs which can be view on the project webpage: https://prospectsfoundation.org.uk/growing-together/growing-together-2021/
Growing Together 2021 Project Officer Gareth Muir will be delivering the Rewilding project for remainder of the year. To get in touch email him at gareth.muir@prospectsfoundation.org.uk
Bike Maintenance Training
All our staff have taken part in basic bike maintenance training! With thanks to Dave from Cycling UK we have learnt how to carry out basic maintenance checks and perform straightforward repairs to ensure all our bikes are ready for the road!
Amongst other things we repaired a puncture, adjusted the brakes and changed a brake cable, checked the gears and carried out an M check. We also learnt how to fit bike helmets properly, so we’re all ready to go!
If you’re interested in borrowing one of our electric bikes then watch this space. Whether you want to get back into cycling, try out cycling to work, or just want to keep up with the kids, then an electric bike might be for you. Further details coming soon.
Martholme Greenway Dawn Chorus Walk
We had a great Dawn Chorus walk along Martholme Greenway on Saturday morning (15th May) despite the rain! It was led by Dave Bickerton and we spotted 36 different bird species in total – well worth getting up for! We walked through Copy Wood and both ways along the Greenway and onto Martholme viaduct. Many thanks to Dave for sharing his expertise.
Here’s the list of species Dave identified from their song:
Robin
Wren
Jackdaw
Chaffinch
Blackcap
Wood pigeon
Crow
Blue tit
Goldfinch
Blackbird
Dunnock
Magpie
Lesser black backed gull
Chiffchaff
Longtailed tit
Willow warbler
Garden warbler
Bullfinch
Coal tit
Lapwing
Redpoll
Greenfinch
Great spotted woodpecker
Mallard
Goosander
Whitethroat
Song thrush
Great tit
Swallow
Oystercatcher
Stock dove
House martin
Treecreeper
Starling
Collared dove
House sparrow