Project Title

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS

Code

A6

Project summary

The purpose of environmental stewards would be twofold. (1) To warden the open spaces of Stocksbridge, acting as a deterrent to vandals, informing people of better ways to treat the environment and offering a frontline response to problems, and (2) to supervise and carry out environmental work in the area. It is essential to recruit local people with knowledge of the area and the local community. An assertive, diplomatic and physically fit person is necessary for this. Training in dealing with the conflicts associated with open spaces and their use would be necessary. These people will need committed supervisors and support workers to prevent them from becoming demoralised.

Examples of good practice: Sheffield Council Park Rangers

Project management

Environmental stewards will require training and management.

Project locations

Large and small sites.
All over the Stocksbridge SRB5 area.

Planning permission

? To be checked

Project links

The environmental steward will be involved in virtually all the open space projects that take place, helping, advising and supervising community groups wishing to take part in open space development.

Economic Implications

Funding - set up costs

Wages for environmental stewards.
Training costs.

Funders: EAF, Esme Fairburn, SRB, ILM, New Deal, Natural Pioneers, TSB Foundation, Sheffield Employment Bond, New Opportunities Fund and National Lottery.

Funding - running costs

Wages for supervisor.
Wages for environmental stewards.
Support materials and administration.

Employment

Environmental stewards. The project would be much more likely to succeed if stewards were paid.
Volunteer help.

Tourism

The aim ultimately is to make Stocksbridge area a safer and more interesting and inviting place to live and visit.

Social Implications

Community involvement

Stewards should be local people with the ability to work and encourage people in the community to take an interest in local open spaces.

Schools involvement

Visits to local schools would be an ideal way for the stewards to make contact with those children interested in helping the environment and those who cause damage to it at the moment. A steward could be assigned to work with a school to help develop classroom and outdoors work based around open spaces and the environment.

Recreational benefits

It is hoped that the presence of stewards will make the open spaces in the area safer, and hence allow them to be used more.

Environmental Implications

Local Agenda 21

Encourages local people to make better use of their local environment.

Wildlife

They will encourage sensitive management and use of open spaces. Effective liaison with environmental specialists is essential to ensure unsuitable projects are not implemented.

Project viability

Constraints

High running costs.
Stewards may receive a lot of abuse at times and inhibit recruitment.
Turnover of staff may pose problems in the continuity of some projects.