We’re happy to help achieve highest degrees of success Learning is at the heart of Greenbelt’s mission to find new ways to provide sustainable, long-term land stewardship. It was our pleasure, therefore, to assist John Cole in the completion of the final project for his BA (Hons) Open degree. John explains: “My degree focused mainly on environmental studies and included environmental issues, social, political, and economical influences and consequences, policy formation, and inter-relationships from the local to the global scale. “As part of my final module, I was required to carry out a project based on ecosystem services: natural ecosystem functions providing direct benefits that advantage people. “Examples from urban trees include CO2 removal and storage, air quality improvement, and water interception. A monetary value can be assigned to some ecosystem services by determining how much it would cost for human-made methods to achieve the same outcome. “I elected to investigate the following research question. Choices of tree species in residential developments: Does climate change mitigation make a difference in newer development choices?” John surveyed stands of trees in four residential developments in East Kilbride’s G75 postcode area: Mossneuk and Greenhills, built around 1970, and Hairmyres and Jackton, built in 2002 and 2011. The trees, green spaces, playparks and sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) in the newer developments are managed by Greenbelt and so John contacted us to enquire if we could provide him with any information or assistance. “Greenbelt were happy to oblige,” says John. “One of their Delivery Coordinators, Nicholas Ball, could not have been more helpful. He went above and beyond to provide me with development maps and data, explaining how woodlands and individual trees are monitored and audited to measure and maintain tree health, age, diversity and aesthetics. “Information on the policies and plans that influence the maintenance of the sites for both the benefit of residents and crucially environmental benefits was also provided. Nicholas was also able to connect me with some specialist partners of Greenbelt, including landscape consultants and arboriculturists who were able to give me further unique and invaluable knowledge. “Greenbelt staff at various different levels of the organisation completed the questionnaire that formed the main part of the qualitative side of my data collection. Their partners were also kind enough to complete this too. “Greenbelt were very helpful and provided me with vital information and assistance. This contributed to my ability to submit a comprehensive project that helped me achieve my goal of completing my module with a ‘distinction’.”Nicholas said: “When I received the request for assistance from John, I was more than happy to help. “I believe the role Greenbelt plays in looking after developments across the UK can sometimes be misunderstood; opportunities to help others’ understanding of our ethos, our commitment to the environment, and our focus on ensuring management of those areas under our stewardship reflects this can only be a positive. “I’m glad the information we provided has helped John along the path to achieving his goals, although the hard work was of course all his own. “Well done, John!” Previous article: Green Flag Award Opening Ceremony Prev Next article: In Memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Next