The Natural Heritage

 

“Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself”

Chief Seattle of the Navajo Nation

 

A relatively recent cultural movement has emerged since the latter part of the twentieth century, as part of the growing awareness of environmental concerns, centred on halting the decline and improving the local surroundings especially for habitat and species improvement and conservation.

 

Parks and green spaces provide valuable natural habitats with opportunities to increase diversity for all forms of wildlife. They support ecosystems in both designed landscapes such as parks and local open space and conserved features and wildlife habitats such Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Regionally Important Geological Sites, Sites of Biological Importance and Local Nature Reserves. 

 

For many people their local green space is their most familiar interaction with, and experience of, nature. People need nature and natural spaces: they contribute to our cultural identity and physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing; they inspire artistic creativity and help develop a sense of history, place and belonging.