METRO MAYOR GOES WILD FOR CONSERVATION AT BRISTOL ZOO’S FUTURE HOME

Just weeks after being elected, Bristol’s animal-loving Metro Mayor, Dan Norris, visited Wild Place Project to hear about Bristol Zoo’s impending move to its new site near Cribbs Causeway and discuss with Chief Executive Dr Justin Morris the plans to create a new world-class zoo for the West of England.

In November last year, the zoo revealed it was selling off its historic Clifton site for housing after years of declining visitor numbers. Together Bristol Zoo Gardens and Wild Place Project welcomed 830,000 visitors in 2019 but only 424,500 last year due to closures and limits on visitors during the pandemic. But the cost of feeding the animals and other fixed expenses has not changed.

Bristol Zoo Gardens is the fifth oldest zoo in the world. It opened to the public in July 1836 and has since welcomed more than 90 million visitors. It has also helped save more than 175 species from extinction in human care and in the wild and is currently working on conservation and research projects across the world.

Mr Norris said: “Wild Place Project is a unique place to visit. It’s great to see wild animals such as bears, wolves and lynxes in an almost-authentic habitat – animals that were once native to the area 10,000 years ago. It is great to hear about the exciting plans to move Bristol Zoo in Clifton to this special site to create an environmentallyfriendly, forward-thinking zoo, that will have conservation at its heart.”

Morgan Sindall and Blenheim Estate create new forests

Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire has partnered with construction company Morgan Sindall to create nine new woodlands.

The historic palace plans to plant more than a quarter of a million trees to transform the land as part of an ambitious series of sustainability initiatives.

The project will be delivered in conjunction with Grown In Britain, an independent not-for-profit that the Morgan Sindall Group helped set up in 2011, focusing on investing in woodlands and certifying British wood products.

Blenheim Palace Chief Executive, John Morgan, said: “This exciting project is about more than our quest to achieve net zero – though that remains our very valid goal. This is about creating a legacy with an environmental net gain and the creation of substantial natural capital, across the board.

“Our woodlands will provide measurable, demonstrable gains in terms of soil, air and water quality, not to mention the wellbeing benefits for all those who can come and enjoy the forest as it grows.”

Redditch, Worcester and Hereford scoop share of more than £600 million to boost their economies

Redditch, Worcester and Hereford are three of a total of 26 towns in England that will share more than £610 million to boost their local economies and create jobs.

Redditch has secured £15.6 million and Worcester £19.6 million. Hereford is set to use its £22.4 million investment to introduce a fleet of electric buses and regenerate the museum, library and art gallery into a unique modern visitor attraction.

Worcester will use a substantial portion of its cash to undertake regeneration of Shrub Hill railway station, a key gateway into the city. Redditch will invest in skills, digital manufacturing, green infrastructure and town centre regeneration in accordance with the Town Investment Plan.

The aim of the government’s Town Deals, which all have sustainability at their heart, is to help breathe new life into neglected areas or unused buildings to boost businesses, community events or provide much needed new homes.