Forestry Commission - News - liverpool to deliver green 08

As part of Liverpool’s 08 celebrations the City will be turning green with a series of environmentally themed events and installations that will deliver a planet-friendly and sustainable legacy for Merseyside.

During the next 11 months a series of events will showcase the region’s climate change projects, celebrate the natural environment and support moves to transform derelict, brownfield landscapes into new, rejuvenated green spaces. And the environmental themed activities will lead to more than 2.5 hectares of new woodland established in Merseyside.

In addition to the thousands of new trees to be planted across Merseyside in 2008 there will also be the creation of two new community woodlands, innovative green ‘billboards’, a solar-powered cinema, green fayres and a summer of cultural events taking place in the Mersey Forest.

Liverpool’s 08 green agenda is being drawn up by the Forestry Commission and the Northwest Regional Development Agency in partnership with Liverpool Culture Company and Liverpool City Council, as well as numerous local and regional environmental organisations. The ‘green team’ came together to support the organisers of Capital of Culture in their desire to deliver a more sustainable future for the region, and highlight issues around the environment and sustainability during the year-long Capital of Culture celebrations.

Liverpool City Council’s executive member for the environment, Cllr Berni Turner, said:

“We are already dedicated to making Liverpool as green as possible – for example, recycling is easy and accessible for everyone, and we only use green energy to power council buildings.

“It’s fantastic news that we’re working in conjunction with so many different partners across the region to make sure there are a wide variety of green events taking place across Liverpool this year.

“It’s really important that we work together to promote the ‘green message’ and as a result get as many people involved as possible.”

During 2008, Liverpool City Council is working towards Environmental Management System ISO 14001 accreditation. This will mean they have identified all elements of business which impacts on the environment, and as a result will be able to identify and manage their environmental responsibilities.

Keith Jones from the Forestry Commission North West, added:

“

Working with partners such as Mersey Forest and NWDA we want to celebrate all that is great about this wonderful city, which is a pivotal part of our diverse and rich region. It’s fantastic news that Liverpool’s festivities will incorporate our own ‘green’ culture, making trees, woodlands and forests integral to the Capital of Culture programme.”

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said:

“Delivering Liverpool’s Green 08 celebrations once again highlights the region’s strong commitment to tackling climate change and promoting sustainability. It is vital that we work to reduce our environmental impact whilst enhancing our natural environment and it is great to see Merseyside embracing these themes during its year in the spotlight.”

Delivering a Green 08 - projects in the pipeline.

Green Streets Merseyside

Urban greening that utilises tree planting and maintenance to improve local communities’ quality of life. Individually tailored to meet the needs and aspirations of each neighbourhood taking part in the project, Green Streets Merseyside is managed by The Mersey Forest and will operate across five Merseyside authorities targeting areas of environmental deficit and tackling a range of social, health and economic issues. The projects started this January and will run to November 2008.

Green Billboard

Believed to be a ‘world’s first’, the Green Billboard is a sustainable advertising medium made entirely from willow trees, which offers a range of environmental benefits that conventional hoardings cannot provide. The world’s first green billboard was installed in Merseyside in late 2007. A second green billboard will be placed in Merseyside and both hoardings will display Liverpool 08 advertisements.

Croxteth County Fair

Croxteth’s annual 2-day festival of the countryside and countryside activities from floristry, animal welfare and a medieval festival will this year include a cinema powered by the sun.

Newsham Park

The listed Newsham Park in Liverpool’s Kensington district is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year (2008) and the city’s cultural status by planting a host of new trees to create a new community resource.

Form>Wood

This April, Merseyside will host the Northwest Forestry Framework conference for the design, architectural and engineering sectors. The event will celebrate wood as one of the planet’s most valuable resources and launch a rolling programme of regional timber and timber-products events.

Princes Park Carnival

For 2008 ‘Delivering a Green 08’ 4 bowling greens will be transformed in a green field during the carnival complete with an organic caf� and circus performances.

Newlands

Across Merseyside two new large-scale community woodlands will be created on sites that were once used for landfill. The multi-million pound environmental regeneration of some of the region’s most undervalued land will lead to multi-use green space that will transform Liverpool’s landscape into a green and pleasant land.

Notes to editors

Forestry Commission England is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. For further information visit

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/northwestengland

The Forestry Commission (FC) North West England (NWE) is a regional arm of the Forestry Commission. It supports the delivery of wide-spread public benefits across the region, using woodland management and creation as the basis for change. The FC NWE region has a diverse remit; as a grant giving body to the woodland sector; the region's forestry regulatory body; helping the region to address climate change by developing wood fuel supply; supporting and developing the region's forest and woodland industries; actively promoting and protecting the Northwest's natural heritage (especially ancient trees and woodlands) and enabling communities across the region to live healthier lives.