Sustainable development - What on earth does it mean?

It is about local communities enjoying a good quality of life which is in harmony with the environment and wider communities now and for generations to come .

Sustainable development is about doing things in a way that:

• shows respect for the environment;
• encourages a good sense of community spirit;
• improves the economic well being of the local area.

It is about trying to achieve these three objectives at the same time.

Water Conservation

Use a mulch on your planted beds and around trees
Choose drought resistant plants
Use water butts on buildings
Avoid the use of sprinklers and hose pipes

Community Involvement

Involve as many local people as possible of all ages and abilities
See your project as a training opportunity
Incorporate community art

Pest And Weed Control

Avoid using slug pellets - these can also kill the predators such as birds and hedgehogs that eat slugs; Instead encourage predators by creating log piles, putting up bird boxes.

Avoid using chemical herbicides.

Purchasing Sustainable Products

Say ‘no’ to peat, alternatives are available
Choose independently certified timber e.g. Forest Stewardship Certification (FSC)
Use solvent free or low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints, ask your retailer
Use recycled paper and envelopes etc. for your administration materials
Choose Fairtrade products where available

Supporting the Local Economy

Buy local products
Use local workforce

Waste Minimisation

Buy recycled products
Avoid buying over packaged goods
Recycle any packaging such as bottles
Compost your green waste
Make log piles - these are good habitats for wildlife
Recycle woody prunings by putting them into your log pile

Creating A New Environment

• Build on what is already there
• Provide access for all people
• Incorporate new wetland habitats where appropriate, not just ponds and lakes but also marshy areas such as bog gardens;
• Incorporate food growing schemes such as community orchards
• Remember to create areas of shade - the sun’s rays can be harmful in causing skin cancer
• Choose plants that are beneficial to wildlife such as lavender and buddleia. Most native plants are also good for wildlife
• Choose appropriate plants that are compatible with local conditions such as soil type, seaside conditions, aspect etc. Choose native plants in natural environments such as woodlands.
• Choose herbaceous plants, bulbs and flowering shrubs rather than annuals

Think about the long term maintenance of your project at the start. All environments need some form of maintenance.

Maintenance of an Existing Environment

Although Green Partnership Awards are not normally for ongoing maintenance of sites, they can be awarded to projects that change the maintenance regime to one that is more sustainable. For example:

• Hedge laying instead of cutting
• Changing the maintenance of grass to encourage wildflowers
• Sensitive woodland maintenance to encourage a diversity of wildlife

The Lancashire Small Sites Reclamation Programme is managed by Lancashire County Council and supported by the Northwest Development Agency.