This is the leaflet we have produced for handing out on Monday at the Council House (dbl-side A5)
Save
Walsall's Green Spaces and Countryside Services
We are very
concerned at the cuts to the Green Spaces and Countryside Services
identified in your proposed budget for 2013 and beyond. Walsall is
blessed with a variety of green spaces and areas of outstanding
beauty. From heathland to man made quarry ponds, woodland walks to
scenic vistas.
However
these reserves do not manage themselves, it takes an incredibly
devoted team of specialists to maintain and promote their use and
protect the future availability as a legacy to our children. Not only
do these provide a welcome reprise for the population of Walsall, the
Rangers also tackle issues of worldwide importance, working with
local landowners to ensure the best use of their land to protect and
monitor biodiversity. It is becoming recognised that the symbiotic
relationship of man and nature has to be nurtured to ensure a healthy
planet and Walsall is very much up there in this department. The
Rangers provide tireless enthusiasm to all aspects of the Countryside
but this enthusiasm isn't just from the heart, it is backed up with
bags full of experience and qualifications. This expertise isn't
something that Walsall can afford to lose, without it amateurs such
as ourselves and the friends groups devoted to protecting the future
use of these areas of outstanding beauty could actually do more
damage than good. Without these experts, we could not understand the
complex relationships than ensure a secure future. We understand how
this could be seen as an easy target for cuts but in reality the
short term financial gains would result in the long term destruction
of many places that make Walsall wonderful. We urge you to carefully
consider the implications of your proposals and how they will affect
the richness of your population's lives.
_______________________________________________________________________________
WHO
ARE WE?
Ordinary Walsall
residents, proud of our town and its green spaces.
We have many
supportive groups including ….
Friends of Park
Lime Pits Friends of Merrions Wood
Friends of Shire
Oak Park Friends of Moorcroft Wood
OUR PETITION TO
WALSALL COUNCIL
has
now been signed by ........................... 120
residents
"We,
the undersigned, petition the council to …......
Reconsider
the 2013 budget proposals for Walsall Green Spaces and Countryside
Services. We are concerned that proposed redundancies will signal the
demise of this precious and well loved department, our community
green spaces and local nature reserves.
All
Green Space staff including Countryside Rangers are an asset to the
town and borough and are an essential service to the people of
Walsall demonstrated by their hard work and commitment
in caring for and improving our green spaces, promoting environmental
issues of local, national and international importance. They share
their passion, knowledge and expertise to the people of Walsall in
many guises including local residents groups, user groups and friends
groups.
Rangers are an
asset that Walsall cannot afford to lose.
We ask that the Council do not make redundancies and instead look
seriously at other routes including maximising income from the
resource. We also ask that the council remember that our green spaces
are our legacy to the town's young people and of generations yet to
come. We are merely guardians of them and as such should not be
neglected or destroyed."
We have a very
strong social media presence that includes Facebook, Twitter and
several local blogs devoted to Walsall's neighbourhoods and nature
reserves. They include …...
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/437765136281023/
Email:
savewalsallsgreenspaces@gmail.com
___________________________________________________
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