Stormwater Made Simple
Stormwater is, in essence, just what is sounds like: water from a storm. Any precipitation that falls from the sky, including rain, hail, and snow, is considered stormwater. In the UK we refer to SUDS – Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (CIRIA – 2000). Updated to Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). Methods to manage surface water that […]
Further Modelling Guidance Tools
With the recent success of last year’s publication detailing the methods of Sustainable Drainage System modelling design using MicroDrainage, GreenBlue are pleased to launch a further publication detailing how to use the Causeway software for the same purpose. Again, we would like to thank the team at McCloy Consulting for their technical expertise and guidance […]
Looking after SuDS, Is Legislation Enough?
On paper, the idea of sustainable drainage (SuDS) has so much going for it for developers. It helps meet the challenges of increasing levels of stormwater runoff in an attractive, environmentally friendly way. It also allows developers to optimise land use and create environments that people want to live and work in. So, what’s holding […]
Not all Super Heroes wear Capes. (Some wear Leaves).
Trees are the heroes of our landscape. A bold claim you think? Possibly. But look at the list of benefits they bring to our lives: ecology, beauty, cooling, shade, Oxygen, removing pollutants from the air, providing homes and food for wildlife and conkers! Let’s face it, who doesn’t have a favourite tree? For National Tree […]
Introducing 9 Trees
9 Trees, as a concept, was formed in 2018 by Michael Cunningham, an experienced habitat and business manager. He was joined by Michelle Kent, in 2019, an experienced countryside and habitat manager. They are now joined by an amazing team of volunteers! The vision of 9 Trees is to tackle climate change by creating new […]
Urban Gardens Assisting in our Canopy Growth
A report in the BBC at the weekend indicated that urban tree canopy cover is surprisingly consistently higher in urban areas than in rural ones. In fact, the areas in the UK with the highest percentage of land covered by trees are all in the South of England, Midlands and in South Wales, including some […]
Who is responsible for Maintaining our Public Trees?
During times of economic crisis, budgets for local authority landscape maintenance have always been under threat. Viewed as a “nice to have” rather than a critical necessity, many local councils facing funding cuts year on year have had to reduce maintenance to testing to minimise future liability claims – but little or no money for […]
Are you Celebrating Clean Air Day?
Back in June 2019, communities came together to ensure Clean Air Day was a huge success. Over 600 events were organised by schools, universities, volunteer groups, businesses, families and friends; thousands of people stood up and spoke out to educate and build awareness on the damaging effects air pollution is having on our health. With […]
Celebrating Southwark’s Urban Forest Assets
A recent inventory of the trees in the London Borough of Southwark as managed by the tree officers has revealed an estimated economic value of the urban forest at an outstanding £165 million. Tree officers are often recognised as ‘custodians of the urban forest’, managing the public tree estate for the common good. The study, […]
Will we see tree-lined streets on all new developments?
Since MP Mr Chris Clarkson brought a Private Members Bill to the House of Commons on 15th July that wishes to enforce the planting of tree-lined streets on all new developments, the Government has indicated that it intends to make this law. The Housing Secretary, MP Robert Jenrick has made it clear that although planning […]
Which Soil Cell do I use?
With an influx of Tree Planting mediums in recent years, we take a look at the history, benefits and where they are best used. The methodologies used in urban tree planting have been refined over the past twenty-five years, but the principles remain – room to grow above and below ground, uncompacted soil, air and […]
