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Over the last 10 years Greater Manchester has seen a period of rapid change. The regeneration that has redefined our urban life and that has impacted on the wider countryside and society has thrown up challenges and opportunities for the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) around issues of land and building management, food, poverty, transport, planning, to name but a few .
Environmental groups have long been engaged in these debates and have spent many years lobbying for change and for development to be more sustainable but what about the wider VCS? Are we all so busy actually delivering to think about the impact our operations and very existence has on sustainability, and what skills and opportunities we can bring to the delivery of sustainable development?
MERCi has secured funding to help environmental groups and the wider VCS engage in delivering sustainable development and thereby improving their sustainability, efficiency and effectiveness. Sustaining Change aims to create a cohesive network of professional, sustainable VCOs and Social Enterprises who are committed to sustainability and operating effectively, whilst minimising their environmental footprint. The project will support the sector through grants, training and a one-stop-shop where they can engage, influence and deliver sustainable development outcomes across Greater Manchester.
If you are interested in becoming involved in this exciting project then please contact Caroline Downey on 0161 273 1736 or email using the form below to discuss how your group can be part of this sustaining change.
M/CC’s Tree Warden Scheme
I have just received the registration form for M/CC’s Tree Warden Scheme and on readingthrough its articles I am appalled by the audacity of MCC and the complicity of theGroundwork Trust in attempting to implement such an autocratic system. In recruitingindividuals from their local community to monitor trees, who they hope will be naïve andgullible enough, to be “bound and gagged” over any contentious issues regarding theenvironment in their area. Basically, as long as a registered “tree warden” is prepared to “toe the partyline” and abandon their principles, they will qualify they will qualify to become partof this, what can only be termed, “nodding-dog scheme”.All the stipulations and provisos listed, that have been cleverly devised by the localcouncil, I presume, are aimed at silencing opposition to literally anything that the Parks& leisure Dept. wants to do with regard to so-called “diseased trees”. As we already know any tree can be classified as “diseased”.I suppose that they want to nip any future oppossition in the bud before it gets out ofhand?It also clearly illustrates how paranoid and terrified I guess MCC’s are of anyindependent environmental campaigns in its local area. The detailed terms and conditions of being a “Tree Warden” also suggests that theywant to undermine, exclude, and eradicate any group or individual from any legitimateliaison or discussion process with regard to whether a tree should or should not beremoved from the landscape.By the same token one might say that some human beings are diseased, so should we endorsea culling scheme for them too? Apparently, after registering on the scheme, you will become a “novice tree warden”– ie: gullible to the extreme and like Groundwork ignorant of the real issues. If youqualify after going through some pretty rigorous checks you will then go through an“induction process” – ie: brain-washing scheme and then all you really need to dois report any dangerous, diseased or damaged tree in your area, free of charge to thecouncil’s tree officer. That way you will prevent any fuss likely to be caused by anyradical, free-thinking groups or individuals. Again the council appear to be acting in a manner analogous to that of the N. KoreanCommunists – total mind control! A meeting has been arranged to introduce the scheme atUrbis 27th April and I have unwittingly booked a place not realising the implications.
Green Man - Environmental Landscapestel: 0161 226 5508 email: leon_patsalides19@hotmail.com
Sustainability
Whilst applauding the aim of increasing VCO influence on MCC's sustainability efforts, I cannot help thinking that voluntary and green groups are fighting a losing battle against the business and development lobbies and materialistic citizens, who have yet to make real efforts to combat both climate change emissions and a level of resource consumption that requires 3 planet Earths to support it. It is the business sector that can deliver real progress in sustainability - small groups can only have a tiny impact, despite organisations like Manchester is my Planet claiming every little helps. At the moment both business, central government and MCC's efforts are regarded by many Manchester greens as 'greenwash'.