ialeUK recently became an ‘Interested Organisation’ in the Green Infrastructure Partnership (GIP), being coordinated by DEFRA. We are sure that many ialeUK members are aware of the GIP and are also getting involved on a professional or personal level.
The GIP brings together expertise from over 150 partner organisations from public, private and academic backgrounds. The GIP was launched in October 2011 in response to the Natural Environment White Paper (2011) and to fulfil a commitment within the white paper. Green Infrastructure and connectivity are core principles contained within the Natural Environment White Paper.
The partnership has agreed on a number of work strands, with desired outcomes, to further develop green infrastructure and consider ways in which more green spaces can be created and connected, forming ‘Better Places for People and Wildlife’. More information can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/green-infrastructure/
As an interested organisation, ialeUK will be in receipt of information emanating from the GIP as well as being made aware of working groups and events that may be of interest to members. We will be posting more information and news from the GIP on the ialeUK website, hopefully generating some discussion where members can share their experiences and thoughts.
The work of the GIP should be of great interest to ialeUK members and the work and research with regard to Landscape Ecology can be central to how our future green spaces and networks develop.
If any ialeUK members are involved more formally in the GIP or the working groups, please contact us regarding the work you are undertaking, and your experience with the partnership. We would also encourage members, as the opportunity arises, to get involved in working groups, attend events and pass on your experience and expertise, feeding back to us on how things are developing.
Please see the following article within this newsletter on the award winning Nitshill Integrated Green Infrastructure Design study.
For more guidance on Green Infrastructure:
The Town and Country Planning Association and the Wildlife Trusts have published
“Planning for a healthy environment – good practice guidance for green infrastructure and biodiversity” A mix of advice and case studies for practitioners.
Available at: http://www.tcpa.org.uk/pages/planning-for-a-healthy-environment-good-practice-for-green-infrastructure-and-biodiversity.html
