Lands cape & Ame ni t y
June/July 2020 Special Supplement
w w w . l a n d s c a p e a n d a m e n i t y. c o m
Professional Groundscare
New Landscape Institute forum to support parks and green spaces “The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has highlighted how important parks and green spaces are to the nation’s well-being. “As governments and the public begin to truly appreciate their value, we need to collaborate to lead and champion the sector. Now is the time for all involved in landscape, parks and place to come together.” The Landscape Institute (LI) has announced the creation of a new forum for the parks and green space sector. “For some time, many parks and green space practitioners have lacked a professional home,” said LI PresidentElect Jane Findlay. “The LI is committed to supporting all landscape professionals.
“A crucial step in fulfilling this aim is promoting the role parks and green spaces play in our communities, strengthening the voice of practitioners working in these important places. “COVID-19 has highlighted just how important parks and green spaces are. Now is the time for all involved in landscape, parks and place to come together.’
HTA launches virtual New Plant Awards The HTA (Horticultural Trades Association) has announced that it will be hosting its New Plant Awards as a ‘virtual’ event this year. The New Plant Awards are usually one of the highlights of the National Plant Show, held by the HTA in June each year. Due to the coronavirus crisis, the plant show was cancelled, but the HTA has decided to run the New Plant Awards as an independent online event in 2020. HTA President, Boyd DouglasDavies said: “We are so excited to be able to launch a virtual version of the New Plant Awards. The Awards are an important and eagerly anticipated event within the horticulture calendar, and they allow our UK growers and plant suppliers to showcase the wonderful new plants they have been cultivating.
We hope that running the event, despite the current circumstances, will provide a much-needed boost for the industry, and provide a positive focus for the horticulture community.” The Awards will include both a professionally judged and an online visitor vote award. In each category the judges will be deciding Bronze, Silver and Gold winners. Best in Category winners will be put forward for Best Overall Winner. The Horticultural Trades Association
The new Forum will provide insight and guidance to the LI as it works to provide leadership and build capacity for the sector. This new Forum will work alongside the LI’s Landscape Management Leadership Forum, which will resume activity this year – focusing on practitioners working in landscapes at scale, protected
landscapes, and landscaperelated government agencies. “The LI looks forward to forming new and strengthened partnerships within the parks sector,” said LI Chief Executive Dan Cook. “The LI has been in discussions to foster closer working relationships with a range of parks sector organisations, including The Parks Alliance, Association for Public Sector Excellence, Midlands Parks Forum, Parks for London, and Green Flag Awards,’ ‘We are open to forming new and strengthened partnerships. “We look forward to further and wider collaboration to provide a stronger voice for parks and green spaces.”
The Parks and Green Space Forum will help the LI to: •
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The Landscape Institute
Work closely with national and local government and other stakeholders to highlight the importance of parks and green spaces Support the sharing of knowledge and research across the sector Develop a new m e m b e r s h i p qualification and learning offer to practitioners in green space management Promote new landscape apprenticeships to the parks and green space sector Explore options for a new parks and green space hub
Important to keep local green spaces open during lockdown The CPRE has backed the Local Government Minister’s decision to write to local authorities urging them to keep making their green spaces available to residents during lockdown. Simon Clarke, the Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, has encouraged local authorities to keep parks and public spaces open as far as possible during the coronavirus lockdown. In a letter to councils, he said: CPRE, the countryside charity, agree that these spaces are giving so many of us an essential boost to our health and wellbeing during these uncertain times.
Chief executive, Crispin Truman, said: “Now more than ever, everyone should have access to some local green space for their health and wellbeing.
to where they live. The evidence is clear that minority groups and disadvantaged communities are less likely to benefit from countryside and access to nature.
“The Local Government Minister is right to call for parks and public space to remain open and we welcome his letter to local authorities today.
“Everyone should feel they belong in the countryside and we should all be able to value and care for it. There’s much that we can do to open up more quality green spaces near where people live.
“The evidence is clear that minority groups and disadvantaged communities are less likely to benefit from countryside and access to nature. “However, the coronavirus pandemic is shining a light on the deep inequalities that exist in who is able to make use of green space or countryside near
“It’s heartening to hear ministers espousing the value of time outdoors, and we hope the government will follow up on this by investing in our local green spaces, Green Belt and the countryside next door.” CPRE
Play & Activity A look at the latest news & views
Pages 8-9
Weed & Pest Control Spotlight on the solutions & services available
Page 10
Two & Four Wheeled Tractors Jane Carley investigates the latest innovations
Pages 22-24
The professionals finish Robust steel edging and planters designed for high quality commercial and domestic projects.