LEG March Newsletter

Trees, Leaves and Bioregions

Snowdrops and bluebells
Primroses and daffodils
Will ring out loud bells
To welcome in the spring
       (Maddy Prior, Spring/Birth)

Welcome to our March newsletter in which we have some exciting updates on current projects and news of forthcoming projects for Spring and beyond. And as we gain momentum on local projects we want to share the concept of Bioregionism which offers an alternative perspective on what local means means to us and why we might want to think ‘bioregionally’.

Snowdrop drift alongside River Loud. Image Clare Hyde

Miyawaki Forest

We were delighted to see so many members and friends of LEG, along with the local community, turn out on Sunday to plant a mini forest on John Smith’s Playing Field in Longridge. Some 50 enthusiastic volunteers including the Longridge Cubs, planted 1507 trees and shrubs into the prepared soil in under two hours! Those unable to plant supported with conversational encouragement, tea and cakes.

Instrumental in this project is LCC Treescapes who are planting a number of these ‘Mayawaki Forests’ to increase the biodiversity across Lancashire.

We planted a forest!

This was a wonderful community day showing that individual and community efforts can help bend the curve on biodiversity loss, that we can be good ancestors for future generations, and that we can heal the future. If you see an opportunity to plant a similar forest local to you please get in touch, as there may be funding to support this initiative.

You can read more about the Miyawaki Forest in our previous newsletter , essentially it is a small forest that will rapidly increase biodiversity through improved habitat and amongst many other benefits, contribute to carbon sequestration. It also provides the opportunity for a wonderful community gathering to plant a large number of small trees to create the forest.

Longridge Environment Action Forum (LEAF)

Established as a collaboration between Longridge Town Council, LEG and other local environmentally focused organisations, the first meeting of LEAF took place on Thursday 13th February. It was great to feel the energy behind local eco-initiatives both short- and longer-term:

Improving Planters: Longridge has numerous planters in various locations supplied by Longridge Town Council planters, Longridge in Bloom and LEG. LEAF will take on the management of all of these with a plan to take an inventory of all planters and contents, and put in a request for funding to the council for new plants.

Pump Track: this Longridge will completed mid-late March and it is proposed that LEAF will lead a project to plant trees and shrubs around it.

Pump Track development

Re-design of Towneley Gardens: the proposed design will be ready imminently.

Community Well-being Garden: This initiative is planned for the site of the former football hut adjacent to the rec and will be reviewed for approval at the next full council meeting on 6th March.

Longridge Seats/Benches: the proposal is to create seats with planters, to be made by Men’s Shed and positioned around Longridge. As each seat will need a planning application this will be a longer-term project.

Other projects discussed include parking space pop-ups, deck chairs in the park, Longridge Allotments and walking the Longridge Loop and Slow Ways.

It is great news that we are working towards a joined-up approach to greening Longridge and have a variety of initiatives to actively work on as the warmer months are approaching. It is also heartening to know that Longridge Town Council is supporting projects to enhance the environment of Longridge and that the council’s gardener and handyman are also available to support with projects.

If you are interested in getting involved in any of these projects and being part of our growing community, please email or join our WhatsApp Group LEG Environment Group.

BioRegionalism - An introduction

We can be forgiven for thinking that in these difficult times of global political and climate change, we have little influence to make a positive impact. But we mustn’t underestimate the power of the actions we take locally not only in contributing towards our regional biodiversity and the well-being of our community but also by creating ripple effects that will encourage other communities to do similar.

Currently, we tend to think of our local areas as defined by political boundaries such as our county, boroughs or parishes. And whilst these may serve a purpose there is another way that we might define our locality and that is as a Bio-region….

Bioregionalism is a philosophy and practice of living in reciprocity with the ecological, cultural, and climatic boundaries of a place. It builds on having a sense of place, a greater awareness of where we are, and how the region has been shaped by our ancestors and its natural environments.

It enables greater understanding of who we are and what we can do.

A bioregion is defined by natural systems (e.g., watersheds, soil types, native species) and our past and present culture. It prioritises ecological boundaries over political borders, local and ancestral knowledge and wisdom over globalized systems, and the regeneration of land and community resilience.

So what does it mean in practice?

Knowing our Place. Developing a deep knowledge of local ecosystems and natural cycles. This includes understanding native plants, animal migrations, and seasonal changes specific to our region.

Local Self-Reliance: Building community resilience through local food systems, renewable energy, and sustainable resource management. This reduces dependence on global supply chains while strengthening our regional economies.

Cultural and Ecological Restoration. Gaining a deeper understanding of and seeking to restore and regenerate the cultural and ecological uniqueness of our region,

Watershed Consciousness Recognising water systems as the foundation of bioregional boundaries, better awareness of the interconnection between water, land, and community health.

A Lancashire bioregion could be defined by the watersheds and ecology of the Rivers Ribble, Lune and Wyre, the Mersey Basin and the Irish Sea Coastline, by the upland Forest of Bowland and Pendle Hill and lowland agricultural practices, all representing and defining our unique and place-defining ecology, community and industry.

Four Steps to become a BioRegionalist:

Observe: Get to know one local and native tree or plant, and track seasonal changes to re-align our daily life with nature’s rhythm.

Regenerate: Practice a nature-positive relationship with the land—compost, use pollinator gardens, join our LEG ecology projects.

Support Local Economies: use farmers' markets, tool libraries, food shares or time banks to reduce reliance on global supply chains.

Build Community: share your skills locally to strengthen place-based knowledge.

If you are interested in understanding more about bioregionism this podcast from the series The Great Simplification offers an interesting discussion and perspectives.

Join Us

8th March: Social Saturday. Little Town Diary 10am. (Social Saturdays are held on the 2nd Saturday of each month. April’s meeting will be a walk and talk meeting)

Sunday 16th March: Active Sunday. 10am Foley's Path (below St Paul's Church). We'll be pruning the apple and pear trees in the Community Orchard, bring loppers/secateurs.

Deep in the circle of the sun's power now returning
The heart is light, the step is bright in sunshine
Throw caution to the winds now the weather's fine
Dance in the joy that is yours and mine in spring returning
(Maddy Prior, Spring. Birth)

Keep in Touch

A reminder that you can …

And we look forward to connecting at our next Social Saturday and active Sundays. Details will be shared via our LEG WhatsApp

Supporting LEG

For time and other reasons, we are aware that not all can join our activities, so we have made it easier to support us with a donation. Simply use the QR code below and you will be taken to our Stripe page where you can donate. All gratefully received, no matter how small.

Thank You