|
January Case Study
 The Royal Edinburgh Community Gardens is a pilot project managed by local charity Edinburgh Cyrenians. The vibrant three acre community gardens are located on the NHS Lothian owned land at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital The initiative adopts a holistic approach to health promotion, recognising the long term beneficial impacts of community gardening: opportunities for improving physical and mental health, healthier eating, contact with nature and social inclusion.
CSGN Development Fund 2012-13
 Greenspace projects in the central belt can now cash in on funding thanks to an extension of the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) development fund. Organisations can apply for part of the £750,000 available for projects which promote healthier lifestyles, regeneration and enterprise, and help to join up the network, especially in areas suffering from deprivation and dereliction.
New Woodland Creation Planning Grant
 A new grant to help prepare productive woodland creation proposals is now available from Forestry Commission Scotland. The aim of the Planning Grant is to promote productive woodland planting by ensuring that woodland creation proposals are based on good knowledge of the sensitivities and local issues and are well integrated with other land objectives so as to secure multiple benefits.
Irvine Bay Green Network
 Irvine Bay Regeneration Company working in partnership with RSPB Scotland, greenspace scotland and Forestry Commission Scotland commissioned The Paul Hogarth Company to undertake a piece of work to develop the Irvine Bay Green Network. Funded through the CSGN Development Fund, the project considered a number of sites across the area and identifies opportunities for environmental improvements and enhanced community and visitor access.
Green Network Vision for the Clyde
 The Glasgow Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership and Clyde Waterfront Partnership have launched a new Green Network Vision for the Clyde. The Clyde Waterfront Green Network Strategy will guide future policy development and investment creating connections, maximizing recreational opportunities and assisting in the regeneration of this once bustling industrial area.
Campsie Fells Action Plan
 East Dunbartonshire Council and its partners have launched a 10 year plan to protect and promote the Campsie Fells. The action plan covers five key themes to improve accessibility; to ensure that future tourism and visitor activity is sustainable; to raise awareness of the fells as well as enjoyment and education; to support the local economic environment by promoting and facilitating inward investment and all importantly to conserve and enhance the Campsies.
LIFE+ Project Bid for CSGN
 SNH is developing a LIFE+ application to reduce habitat fragmentation and improve connectivity across the CSGN, through targeting, facilitating and implementing action on the ground. With a start date of July 2013, SNH is looking to build a partnership to deliver around £3-5M of activity
Woodlands Health Research
 OPENspace has been awarded a £1m grant by the NHS’ National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to assess the effectiveness of a Forestry Commission Scotland programme in Scotland’s ‘central belt’. Spanning seven years and two phases to date, the Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT) initiative focuses on improving quality of life in Scotland’s urban and post-industrial areas through community access to new or regenerated woodland.
Board Update
The Board will be meeting on 27 January to discuss the 3 year CSGN work plan, the routing and costs associated with delivering the John Muir Way, outputs of a Landscape Audit and proposals for a Landscape Action Plan, and to learn more about the Inner Forth Landscape Initiative being led by RSPB. Board papers are now available on our website.
|
CSGN January Network News
