How Extreme Weather Is Forcing Councils to Rethink Green Space This winter has been a reminder that climate change isn’t just a future risk — it’s already shaping the day-to-day reality of council services. Repeated heavy rainfall, saturated ground, flooding alerts and storm damage have tested highways, housing, parks and estates teams across the country. What’s becoming increasingly clear is that traditional grey infrastructure alone can’t cope with these pressures . For cou

Hedge Your Bets: The Council's Guide to Smarter Green Spaces Here at the Green Council, we’re always looking for impactful, sustainable, and cost-effective ways to enhance our local environment. Often, the most powerful solutions are also the most traditional. Enter the unsung hero of civic landscaping: the native hedge. Far more than just a green boundary, a well-planned hedge is a multi-functional asset. It’s a living, breathing piece of infrastructure that delivers a stagg

Balancing biodiversity benefit with maintenance, safety and responsibility For many town, parish, and community councils, ponds are often the first biodiversity project discussed. They are visible, well understood by the public, and strongly associated with wildlife benefit. But when a council decides to “do something for biodiversity”, an important question is often overlooked: Is it better to restore an existing pond, or to create a new one? The answer is not always obvious

From Grey to Green: Your Council's Guide to Urban Biodiversity Cultivating Urban Oases: How UK Towns Can Champion Biodiversity In the heart of our bustling towns and cities, a quiet revolution is taking root. Between concrete pavements and brick buildings, a renewed focus on urban biodiversity is transforming grey spaces into green havens. For local councils across the UK, this isn’t just an aesthetic choice—it’s an ecological imperative, a public health strategy, and a commu

A practical guide for parish, town and community councils Clerks, Councillors and Biodiversity: Two Roles, One Critical Path Biodiversity governance is rapidly becoming one of the most significant shifts in responsibility faced by town, parish, and community councils in a generation. While the statutory duty applies to councils as a whole, the reality of delivering it falls across two distinct roles: Clerks and Councillors . Understanding how these roles intersect — and where

Woodlands and hedgerows sit at the heart of local nature recovery. In England, national targets include increasing woodland and tree canopy cover, while Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS)  map where new habitat will count most. In Wales, woodland creation and well managed hedgerows are central to climate and nature goals and to Section 6  duties. Parish, town and community councils can make measurable progress by placing small projects in the right places and planning si

How parish, town and community councils can budget for biodiversity in the 2026 to 2027 precept cycle, with practical lines to include and links to duties, LNRS and grants.

What the House of Lords debate on biodiversity and the countryside means for parish, town and community councils. Practical takeaways on BNG, LNRS and woodland goals, with links to Hansard and the Lords Library.

House of Lords debate on biodiversity policy on 13 November 2025. What parish, town and community councils need to know about targets, BNG, LNRS and woodland goals, with links to official sources.

Biodiversity funding for parish, town and community councils. Learn which grants are open now, what they cover, and how to prepare strong applications.

Ponds capture carbon, support wildlife and enhance biodiversity. Learn how parish, town and community councils in England and Wales can plan and manage ponds to benefit birds, amphibians and local ecosystems.

Introduction Cemeteries and churchyards are often calm green islands in towns, villages and parishes. Because they are less disturbed than parks or roadside verges, they can host surprising biodiversity including lichens, mosses, rare wildflowers, invertebrates and small mammals. Yet many councils overlook their potential. In both Wales and England, integrating biodiversity into cemetery management offers a win for heritage, ecology and community perceptions of local nature.

Learn about what a BioBlitz is, why it matters for Councils in Wales & England, and what key considerations are to deliver an effective BioBlitz event in the UK.

For town, parish and community councils, biodiversity can feel like a broad and complex subject. Where do you start? Which spaces matter...

Autumn is one of the most important times of year for councils to take meaningful biodiversity action. As the growing season slows down,...

The UK’s hottest summer has triggered false autumn. Learn how Biodiversity Action Plans can protect nature and build resilience against climate change for Town and Parish Councils all over the UK.

Bee corridors are vital for supporting biodiversity. They connect fragmented habitats, allowing pollinators to move safely....

Environment Act 2021: Support for ongoing policy & delivery duties The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. In...

In Wales, these projects below exemplify how biodiversity action plans are translated into tangible conservation efforts - restoring...

Overview: Biodiversity in the UK The UK's biodiversity, though contained within a relatively small geographic area, encompasses a vast...