EPIKS 2022 Annual Report

Providing local solutions to environmental problems

Introduction

Welcome to the 2022 EPIKS Annual Reportreflecting on our busiest year to date. We have been heartened by the willingness of partners, businesses and volunteers who reflect our growing determination to take action for climate change. This year we are proud to have been able to offer more opportunities to people of all ages and backgrounds to join us in our quest to make Kirklees a better place to live and work.

We have consolidated years of riverside clean-ups, biodiversity and path improvements by starting work on the ambitious Huddersfield Riverside Nature Park. This highlights the fantastic nature and leisure opportunities that our local rivers and waterways bring.

Many business premises could be improved for wildlife and if done at scale could make a real difference in urban areas. We have been trialling this very idea at Lesjöfors’ premises in Lindley Moor, creating both woodland and wildflower meadow. We have also started to put together a plan for the premises at Cummins.

Our passion for giving people access to active travel has been well-received with our biggest programme of ‘try an e-bike’ roadshows in Dewsbury with support from local councillors.

We’re proud to be the first organisation in Kirklees to be using an e-cargo bike to showcase an alternative to motor vehicle deliveries in the Holme Valley (despite the hills) and help boost local business.

Our work would not be possible without the contribution of volunteers, who gave over 3,000 hours of their time last year with activities ranging from litter clearance and footpath creation, to strategic networking with partners to ensure environmental solutions are kept high on the agenda. We are extremely grateful to them, and our sponsors, partners and staff, whose support and dedication have helped make this happen.

EPIKS Volunteer Directors

Chas Ball, Ali Stopher, Jeff Keenlyside, John Munro.

Personal highlights for me this year have been:

• Meeting people on guided walks who were previously unaware of the tranquil routes along our urban waterways.

• Seeing the candid photos of deer and kingfishers quietly feeding on the riverbank in the heart of industrial Huddersfield illustrating how worthwhile our efforts to improve habitats for nature are.

• Our summer roadshows in Dewsbury; meeting new and inspiring cyclists ready to take on a new challenge for healthier lives and less pollution from driving.

• Seeing the enthusiasm of our volunteers and their willingness to take action for their local environment.

Active travel page 3

Biodiversity page 4

Volunteering page 7

Active Travel

EPIKS works to give people in Kirklees more opportunities to walk and cycle by improving the quality of paths and greenways, how they link up and how they are signposted. Our fleet of e-bikes enables people to learn more about the benefits of riding pedal-assisted electric bikes across Kirklees.

We have also provided workplace e-bike events with partners and advised on planning applications and strategies to improve the infrastructure that would enable active travel.

Our achievements in 2022

• 80 people took test rides on e-bikes with our instructor during our Dewsbury Summer of Cycling Events supported by Dewsbury Councillors.

• 300 visitors to our roadshows got impartial advice and support on choosing an e-bike and hints and tips on routes in their area.

• Partners at Streetbikes gave people on low incomes the chance to learn new skills and get access to affordable bikes.

In 2023 we will:

‘I

The West Yorkshire Transport Strategy 2040, adopted in 2017, sets out policies to provide strategic and local networks of high quality walking and cycling routes. Targets are to increase the number of trips made by bike and on foot by 2027 by 300% and 10% respectively.

have decided to buy an e-bike and get rid of my car. Your event was exactly what I needed to help me choose. I have appreciated your knowledge.’

• Create a much-needed ‘virtual active travel hub’: a Kirkleeswide online portal to provide information to get more people cycling, walking and wheeling.

• Waymark routes and create visual guides to give people better information about paths and routes for walking and cycling and access to nature around Huddersfield.

• Attend busy public events with our active travel roadshow.

Biodiversity

Kirklees has a wealth of greenspaces – EPIKS works to pull in funding and resources to maintain and enhance what we already have by enlisting the support of businesses, volunteers and partners. We involve people of all ages and backgrounds to boost biodiversity and learning at a relatively low cost. ‘Over 90% of people find being in nature is good for their physical and mental health.’ The People and Nature Survey for England

October 2022

‘Taking steps to preserve and enhance our natural environment and biodiversity will not only address the climate emergency, but also generate numerous co-benefits, for instance, helping reduce the stress / anxiety levels of residents who spend time in Kirklees’ green spaces’.

Kirklees Climate Change Action Plan September 2022

What we did to help biodiversity and learning in 2022

• 123 school children and 5 local schools took part in educational activities about river wildlife.

• 16 students from Kirklees College improving the Nature Park as part of their studies.

Wildlife camera monitoring at Cummins Turbo Technologies

riverside

River habitat survey from the Wild Trout Trust

• Preserving wildflower meadow at Snow Island and Kilner Bank

• Created a 1/3 hectare of wildflower meadow and woodland on business premises at Lindley Moor.

• Created woodland glades

Action for wildlife in 2023

• Continue work to allow fish passage at Snow Island Weir and improve the wetland there

• Produce Habitat Improvement Plans for the River Colne and the woodlands at Kilner Bank

Accessible Greenspace

Results of our 2022 online survey told us that 87% of people would visit green spaces in Huddersfield if there were more accessible pathways.

The development of a riverside nature park from Lockwood to John Smith’s Stadium will inspire and benefit local communities, boost the local economy and help to take action for the Climate Emergency.

In 2022, our work was concentrated in Huddersfield, Colne Bridge and Milnsbridge where we achieved:

• Over 3km of riverside footpath clearance and maintenance

• New steps at Colne Rd NCP car parks created a continuous path along the river to Kings Bridge

• Re-opening up of the riverside path from the Royal and Ancient Pub to the Calder Valley Greenway at Colne Bridge

• Ongoing enhancements to the Riverside Walk in Milnsbridge

• Guided walks to the People’s Art Exhibition and Heritage Open Days gave us a chance to meet over 50 local people and receive promising feedback on our projects

• Highlighting of the hidden areas of Huddersfield’s riversides through photography and film making

Looking ahead

‘I was amazed by the proximity of these magnificent habitats to the town centre. A couple of these places were new to me, I previously thought they were inaccessible... What a lovely day I’ve had, a very worthwhile, educational and enjoyable experience, many thanks to all those concerned with running the nature walk/talk and for the ongoing work involved in making these tranquil green spaces accessible.’ D. Abbott, guided walk attendee

In 2023 we will continue to improve and extend the Riverside Nature Park, and work on improving habitats and biodiversity by:

• Completing the installation of signposts, information and waymarking along 2km of the River Colne in Huddersfield

• Completing the building of better paths to the dramatic weir at Snow Island, Huddersfield

• More public engagement opportunities

Green Economy

Holme Deliveries, (an EPIKS project) is piloting a scheme in the Holme Valley to counter the rise in online shopping and the resulting pollution, packaging waste and loss in local revenue that this causes. Through partnership working with local businesses and community engagement, the use of an e-cargo bike is stimulating local shopping and deliveries. It offers residents and businesses a tangible alternative to vehicle use and an opportunity for climate action.

What we did

• Consulted individuals on ways to use the e-cargo bike to replace vehicle use

• Trialled the beginning of local online shopping platforms

• Showcased the project to 2000 people at shows, festivals and schools in the Holme Valley.

• A busy Christmas hamper scheme involved 14 businesses and a brand new customer base.

‘An

inclusive green economy is one that improves human wellbeing and builds social equity while reducing environmental risks and scarcities’.

United Nations Environment Programme

What next?

‘Zero Waste in the Circular Economy’ with Upcycle Fashion and Huddersfield University Centre for Sustainability, Responsibility Governance and Ethics (SURGE), to stimulate more facilities for re-use, repair and reducing waste. Zero

During 2023, EPIKS will continue to develop Holme Deliveries with a view to it becoming a revenue-generating pilot scheme with potential roll-out for other areas of Kirklees and beyond.

On 22/02/23 we will co-host a mini-conference

Volunteering

EPIKS volunteer directors take a lead in project strategy, running the business and maintaining strategic partnerships. Their work contributes an additional 2000 volunteer hours per year.

Achievements in 2022

Our weekly sessions open to the public have enabled 1050 hours of practical volunteering with activities including habitat management, litter picking, waymarking and path maintenance and creation.

More volunteers from industry have taken part in environmental activities this year with 108 individuals taking part in projects on their own premises as well as amongst the greenspaces of Huddersfield.

Over 300 bags of rubbish were collected by volunteers during 80 volunteer task days

Our volunteers are a major part of EPIKS work and our thanks goes to those who have contributed to environmental action in all their varied roles.

New roles for 2022 included volunteer photographers and film makers; riders and advocates for cycling in the ‘try an e-bike’ roadshows and taking part in the Holme Deliveries e-cargo scheme, contributing over 200 hours of their time.

Looking ahead to 2023, we will work to give volunteers the opportunity to take action for climate resilience and nature restoration in the following areas:

• Becoming an EPIKS director

• Practical outdoor activities to improve biodiversity and access to green spaces

• Communications – giving talks, content creation, photography and video

• Encouraging and enabling more active travel

• Holme Deliveries e-cargo bike scheme

• Research to help inform our plans/signs