A new project is aiming to safeguard and promote green spaces in Kirklees.

Natural Kirklees– a new volunteer-led initiative to protect the district’s natural heritage and encourage more people to get out to enjoy it – will be launched at a conference on Saturday, April 16 at the Methodist Mission in Huddersfield.

The day-long event, which begins at 9.15am, is being organised by the Kirklees Wildlife and Landscape Partnership (KWLP)

KWLP wants to ensure that local communities understand the importance of the natural environment, its value to them and how they can play a part in improving and making better use of it.

Jeff Keenlyside (COR) (left) with Andy Hobson of Fantastic Media (2nd left), Barry Sheerman, MP, and Gareth Davies of Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd (right) at the Greenstreams project conference held at the John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield
Jeff Keenlyside (COR) (left) with Andy Hobson of Fantastic Media (2nd left), Barry Sheerman, MP, and Gareth Davies of Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd (right) at the Greenstreams project conference held at the John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield

The conference is open to statutory and voluntary sector organisations, private landlords, friends of groups and volunteers involved with managing natural heritage in Kirklees.

Speakers will include Jeff Keenlyside, of Environmental Alliance, and representatives of organisations including Moors for the Future Partnership, Sustrans, Colne Valley Tree Society and Friends of Rectory Park Thornhill.

Watch: River clean-up alongside John Smith's Stadium

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An Environment Kirklees website will also be launched as the “public face” of KWLP and Kirklees Environment Partnership (KEP), which have both operated for more than a decade as umbrella organisations and forums.

Peter Turner, who chairs the Kirklees Wildlife and Landscape Partnership, said: “Our natural assets need greater protection and management and local communities have a crucial role in that process.

“At the same time these assets such as woodlands, waterways and access networks offer much greater opportunity for use, including outdoor recreation. We want to make sure we are making the best of these opportunities.

Rachael Sulley (front) and other Greenstreams volunteers cleaning up the River Colne close to the John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield.

“With support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Natural Kirklees is a catalyst for organisations to work together to create an improved natural environment.”

Fiona Spiers, head of HLF Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “With increasing threats to green spaces and wildlife it is important for local groups and communities to come together to raise awareness of and protect our natural heritage.

“This project will give the community the opportunity to work together to better manage and protect the important wildlife and green spaces within Kirklees.”

For further details or to book a place at the conference, contact Kathy Womersley on 01484 428880 or email kathy.womersley@environmental-alliance.org.uk