Hidden value report reveals the importance of green spaces to society

2nd February 2017

The Land Trust has this week released a new report, The Hidden Value of Our Green Spaces, which highlights that our green spaces provide even more to society than we often think about.

 

It shows that our green spaces are more than just places for recreation or to help wildlife thrive – they also provide important functions, such as woodlands absorbing pollution and locking up carbon, which cleans our air and wetlands storing water, slowing the flow and helping reduce the risk of flooding.

These functions help reduce costs on local and wider communities, such as to the NHS, other public sector services and local businesses.

This report has taken a ‘natural capital accounting‘ approach to translate these benefits in financial terms (taking into account the physical land, the habitats, the quality of the land, how it is used and managed).

Since this is a common measure of value, we believe that by talking in this language will help society to recognise and understand how well managed green spaces contribute to a strong economy.

Our report aims to help us to:

  • Highlight the social and economic benefits, using financial terms
  • Inform the management of our spaces
  • Improve and enhance their natural capital value
  • Engage with different partners to embed green spaces within developments
  • Demonstrate how long term investment and management of green spaces can increase the asset value
  • Tell the story that by looking after our green spaces enables them to perform these important functions which benefit society and the economy.

Speaking at the Greater Manchester Natural Capital Annual Conference on Wednesday, 1st February, Euan Hall, CEO of the Land Trust said “We’ve been transforming and improving land for community benefit for over 10 years, adding value, making a real difference to real people. It’s fantastic to be able to demonstrate the value in this way, helping us to continue championing well managed green spaces and all the benefits they bring.”

The report features two case studies – Beam Parklands in Dagenham and Silverdale Country Park near Stoke on Trent ­– to show how sustainable management translates into economic value for the local area.

 

Find out more and download the report at: https://thelandtrust.org.uk/the-land-trust-charitable-aims/thebenefits/

 

This report has been produced with support from Groundwork West Midlands, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Ranger services, Interserve Consulting and eftec.


Return to news list

The Hidden Value of our Green Spaces front cover

News

View all news

Get in touch

If you have any questions or queries about what we do or how to go about working with us we'd love to hear from.

Contact us

How you can help

We are always on the look out for enthusiastic, committed people who want to make a real and lasting difference in their local community.

Get Involved
Donate with JustGiving