This week members of the Future Ambition Board met to hear updates about local collaborations and activities from our Climate and Nature working group, and to agree priorities to focus action on going forward.
The Future Ambition Board is a cross-sector BANES partnership bringing leaders together to tackle shared challenges and deliver regional priorities.
The group was updated on the work of local parnterships aimed at increasing biodiversity, improving water quality and giving people access to green spaces, including the Bathscape, Somer Valley Rediscovered, and Chew Valley Reconnected projects:
Bathscape project
The Bathscape project has demonstrated how investing in nature can play a vital role in tackling the climate and ecological challenges facing Bath and North East Somerset. Working across the landscape surrounding Bath, the project has restored habitats, improved biodiversity, enhanced green spaces and strengthened connections between people and nature. These actions not only help protect the area’s unique natural heritage but also increase resilience to climate change by supporting healthier ecosystems, improving flood management and creating greener, more connected landscapes.
Somer Valley Rediscovered
Somer Valley Rediscovered works across the Cam and Wellow river catchments, and is a partnership that brings together local authorities, environmental organisations and communities to restore habitats, improve biodiversity and strengthen resilience to climate change. Through projects including grassland restoration, woodland and watercourse management, and the enhancement of local green spaces, Somer Valley Rediscovered is creating healthier ecosystems that can better withstand the impacts of climate change while supporting wildlife recovery. Just as importantly, the project is helping people reconnect with nature through volunteering, active travel and community engagement, recognising that thriving natural environments are essential for both environmental sustainability and community wellbeing.
Chew Valley Reconnected
Chew Valley Reconnected is helping to create a more climate-resilient and nature-rich landscape across one of Bath and North East Somerset’s most important environmental assets. Covering the River Chew catchment from the Mendip Hills to Keynsham, the partnership is focused on reconnecting habitats, improving water quality and strengthening wildlife corridors to support nature recovery. By promoting sustainable land management, restoring landscapes and enhancing the area’s natural networks, the project is helping wildlife adapt to a changing climate while delivering wider benefits such as flood resilience, cleaner water and improved public access to nature. Through its focus on wildlife, water and wellbeing, Chew Valley Reconnected demonstrates how nature-based solutions can help tackle both the climate and ecological emergencies while creating healthier, more resilient communities.
Additionally, members of the Future Ambition Board discussed practical next steps in tackling the climate crisis here on our doorstep. From collaborating on innovative community energy schemes to increasing biodiversity on our own sites, many varied projects gained approval.
Watch this space for updates on these projects and other actions being driven by Nature and Climate leaders across Bath and North East Somerset!