Welwyn Hatfield Council just recognized ten amazing schools, community groups, and parish councils for their environmental efforts. Each project received a £500 grant through the Climate Action Small Grants programme, which totals £5,000 this year.
The goal of these grants is to help local organizations create practical solutions for climate challenges. They received 21 applications, showcasing a strong commitment from the community to tackle climate change.
Here are the ten successful projects:
- Welwyn St Mary’s Primary School: Renovating the school pond.
- North Mymms Parish Council: Installing bike racks at Gobions Open Space.
- Panshanger Primary School: Building bug hotels and birdhouses for their garden.
- St John’s Primary School, Digswell: Upgrading LED lights and providing hi-vis jackets to promote safe walking and cycling.
- Oaklands Primary School: Starting a litter-reduction program called “Let’s Get Litter Wise.”
- Barn Close Preschool: Planting flowers to attract pollinators.
- Applecroft School: Adding bike racks.
- Woolmer Green Parish Council: Installing LED lighting in the village hall.
- Templewood School Gardening Club: Renovating the pond and harvesting rainwater.
- Tenterfield Nursery School: Promoting sustainable snack practices to reduce waste.
These projects focus on themes like biodiversity, energy saving, sustainable transport, waste reduction, and water conservation. They reflect the creative spirit of the community in addressing our climate crisis.
Welwyn Hatfield has declared a climate emergency and aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030 for council operations and by 2050 for the wider area. The grants play a vital role in helping local organizations support these broader environmental goals.
Councillor Max Holloway, the Leader of the Council, expressed his enthusiasm: “These fantastic projects demonstrate how dedicated our community is to combating climate change. We want to empower more groups to transform their innovative ideas into concrete actions that benefit both residents and the environment.”
Vicky Beare, Headteacher at Tenterfield Nursery School, highlighted the role of sustainability in education: “This grant allows us to make meaningful changes, teaching young kids that caring for the planet can start with small, everyday actions. They’ll learn that their choices matter.”
Linseyanne Steell from North Mymms Parish Council pointed out the community benefits of encouraging cycling: “Promoting bike use in Gobions Open Space not only helps cut emissions but also supports the physical and mental well-being of our visitors.”
It’s evident that these projects not only foster environmental stewardship but also bring communities together. As climate challenges become more pressing, efforts like these remind us that local actions can lead to significant change. For more on the council’s initiatives, check out the Welwyn Hatfield Climate Hub.
