Bath and North East Somerset has an extensive network of green spaces which include: parks; botanical gardens; recreation grounds; allotments; private and communal gardens; cemeteries; waterways; verges; woodlands; nature reserves and agricultural land.
Why is it important?
The green environment need to be conserved because it provides many valuable services including:
- Providing natural habitats for all forms of wildlife and the ecosystems it is part of;
- Providing attractive, natural places for residents and visitors to enjoy. It is proven that access to the natural environment is important for mental and physical health and well-being. Find out more about the Council's sport, health and fitness initiatives, many of which take advantage of our green spaces;
- Enhancing social interaction and community cohesion and it has been shown that it can help to reduce crime;
- Limiting the causes of climate change and helping cities cope with its impacts. Green spaces absorb some of our carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases and will help us to adapt to changes in the climate by providing shade, shelter, water and drainage. As well as regulating temperature and providing the space and resources for local food production;
- Helping to tackle air pollution by absorbing harmful gases from traffic exhuast emissions. High levels of polluting gases can be harmful to respiratory health and bad for the environment. Find out what the Council is doing to tackle air pollution in Bath and North East Somerset.