When we first explored the idea of a network to support the greenspaces and growing projects of the Havens almost a decade ago, we had no idea how much passion for wildlife and greenspaces existed across our communities.
Back then, Brighton & Hove had a strong Parks and Green Spaces Network and Lewes was well supported too. In Newhaven, however, development pressures on our greenspaces were growing. So, we acted and founded the Greenhavens Network, this was before Climate Hubs existed locally and before community climate action became as widespread as it is today. We focused Peacehaven, Newhaven, Seaford, Lewes and up the Lower Ouse Valley to Barcombe.
Since then, we have evolved through many ups and downs forming strong alliances, offering networking, training, citizen science, community leader and group support, wellbeing and family activities. It is inspiring to see how much has been achieved in a decade; so many new groups, new designations to protect areas for generations to come like the Fields in Trust at Peacehaven Community Orchard. All thanks to the dedication of volunteers and local groups and thankfully often the support of local councils.
A lot has changed over the years, from Covid which saw a fresh enthusiasm for nature, open spaces and rewilding our gardens, to austerity that changed volunteering, to the explosion technology for meetings, ecological monitoring and social media. More positively we are also seeing ambitious landscape‑scale projects such as the Downs to the Sea, Weald to Waves, Sussex Bay, Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve and welcome the extension of The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere Reserve to cover the whole Lewes District. As the National Lottery–funded Ouse Valley Climate Action Project enters its final legacy months, after years of financial and training support to local groups delivering community climate action we have much to celebrate and much to consider. What do we want the next 5-10 years to look like in the Havens and Lower Ouse Valley? How do we want to collaborate? Do we want to deepen and broaden the activities we have established?
Greenhaven Network CIO are delighted to have received Sussex Community Foundation funding to reassess the needs of community groups in the Network-identifying barriers, support needs and the shape of a future network that serves all.
If you would like to collaborate or share your thoughts, we would love to hear from you. Keep an eye on our website for updates of news and events near you.
For training opportunities on offer through Ouse Valley Climate Action project please see www.southdowns.gov.uk/climate-action-hub/. If you are interested in anything from first aid to setting up a community group, or nature identification to funding bid writing, please get in touch – contact@greenhavens.network
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