Viewing and outlook points

With an area of ​1.7 hectares, "Jardim da Cerca da Graça" (Graça garden) is the largest public green area in the historical area (Ref. 4). It's a green space located inside the fence (cerca) of the old convent of Graça, building previously occupied by the Republican National Guard. The garden was created from the requalification of part of the fence and its opening to the public, also has a function of passage, with new green spaces: a central lawn, a picnic area and an orchard. There is also a kiosk with a terrace and a children's playground (Ref. 2).

The Côtes site is a natural space of 1300 hectares surrounded by the urban area of the Clermont-Ferrand area, between the cities of Clermont-Ferrand, Durtol, Nohanent, Blanzat and Cébazat. (Ref. 1). Its fragile biodiversity has required special attention from the city with several actions being taken to protect it from growing urbanization. Part of the site is a Natura 2000 area and the Clermont part of the overall site is designated a sensitive natural environment (ENS). A management plan was developed for the ENS and put in place for the years 2019-2024 (Ref. 12).

The Seven Lochs Wetland Park is an urban park that is due to be created in Scotland. It will comprise nearly 20 km² of land and water between Glasgow and Coatbridge. The park will combine many existing features, including four local nature reserves; Bishop Loch, Cardowan Moss, Commonhead Moss (a raised bog) and Hogganfield Park; Drumpellier Country Park which includes Woodend Loch SSSI and Lochend Loch; Frankfield Loch; Johnston Loch; Garnqueen Loch; Provan Hall a 15th-century category A listed building. It will be Scotland's largest urban heritage and nature park. The vision for the Seven Lochs Wetland Park is of a new park of national significance, sustaining and enhancing a high quality, innovative wetland environment that will (a) protect and enhance biodiversity and heritage (b) promote health and well-being (c) contribute to environmental, economic and social regeneration (Ref 1).

Malls Mire is an area of mixed woodland and wetland habitat situated between Toryglen and Rutherglen. People from the surrounding communities have been working with Urban Roots to manage the woodland since 2009, improving its value for wildlife and working on the paths so that more people can enjoy it(Ref 1). It was declared a Local Nature Reserve in March 2015(Ref 2). Surveys by entomologists showed that the site is valuable for a number of rare beetles and a spider, the latter, Southern Motherphage (Coelotes terrestris) having only been found at one other site in Scotland(Ref 2).

As part of the “Landscape Park Rhine”, a key project of the Karlsruhe Master Plan 2015, the city of Karlsruhe implemented the “Park Maxau” project module, which is the most important element of the larger landscape project. (Ref. 3) The “Park Maxau” is a park within an agricultural area which with its new leaseholders, has mostly been converted into ecological agricultural fields and grazing areas. (Ref. 3) Major goals were linking green corridors with the Pamina Rhine park, creating a connected recreational area and enhancing ecological diversity. The “Rhine Promenade” pedestrian route, Rhine terraces and a children’s playground were created, a visitor guidance system was introduced, and an estate was revived as a restaurant. During the 17-month development process, citizens were given the opportunity to offer their ideas and suggestions about the project through internet surveys, interviews and a citizens' conference. (Ref. 6) The area has become a hotspot for ecological agriculture, environmental education and recreation (Ref. 10).

Used by a skip hire company until 2016, this riverside Pocket Park will link other fragmented green spaces and routes. Once the rubble is cleared a level riverside walkway will be created that is accessible to walkers, runners, cyclists and wheelchair users. Invasive plants will be removed and new soil mounds will add shape to the land and act as places where native plants can grow. Self-seeded trees will be thinned out and the best allowed to grow on. Once complete the path through it will form part of the sustainable travel network in the upper Aire valley. (1)

The oasis is one of the favourite destinations especially by naturalist photographers of the region, thanks to the presence of numerous animal and plant species. The oasis covers an area of about 20 hectares, is part of a SIC and ZPS area of 40 hectares and its management has been entrusted to the Noale WWF Cave Oasis Committee. It used to be a clay extraction area that got abandoned for several years. It was restored to create a new wild habitat that the local government declared a protected area (1, 2 and 4).

The Fechenheimer Mainbogen is the largest undeveloped floodplain area in Frankfurt am Main and a special recreational area in the Frankfurt Green Belt Internal link. Today, the Main Arch is mainly used for agriculture, but still contains numerous relics of a typical floodplain landscape, such as smaller floodplain trees, meadows and wet bank areas. Since 2015, the curve of the Main has been transformed back into a near-natural meadow landscape with water, alluvial forests and meadows in several steps. Animals and plants are given new valuable habitats and places of retreat, and people are given attractive recreational spaces in nature (10).

The £1 million project aimed to transform the area from arable land to a high-quality wetland by creating a number of interconnected reed beds and water bodies. The project recreates part of the old wetland landscape that used to exist on the edge of Doncaster 200 years ago before it was drained for other uses. A major benefit of expanding the wetland will be to provide better quality water for local communities and reduce the impact of flooding in the area. The project is a collaboration among WWF, HSBC, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and the European Union. (Ref 1)

The Biffa Award awarded the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust with £24,681 in December 2013 for their ‘Lapwings on your Doorstep’ project, which started a number of habitat management activities at Potteric Carr Nature Reserve aiming to benefit a range of species. The project's main objective was to improve breeding conditions for the bird. Workers at the site, near Doncaster reported the scheme would
 also benefit a wider range of species, both common and rare, including other birds, bats and insects. It will also increase the reserve's value as an important tourist attraction, boosting the local city's economy. (Ref 1, 7).