Collection of monitoring data continuously throughout the project to aid evaluation

Woodland project is a council project to improve woodlands. During the last 50 years, “lifestyles have changed, leading to a change in the state of the woods”. The result is that the trees are ageing, becoming overgrown with dominant species and losing their wildlife. The woodlands in Reading need work to protect them (for future generations) and the council has therefore produced a Woodland Management Plan in partnership with the Forestry Commission. The plan aims to manage 18 sites of woodland in Reading and implementation of these plans will involve benefits for e.g. the wildlife and community. (Ref. 1, 2, 4)

Offord Road community garden is a place for the residents of West Reading (i.e. those who live, work, go to school in the area). Reading Borough Council set up the community garden (i.e. the green space) at the Oxford Road end of Western Elms Avenue through a grant called ‘Section 106’ (thus giving the site back to the community in 1996). (Ref. 1, 2, 7)

Pegnitztal West is a new corridor and recreation zone along a section of the Pegnitz river in Nurnberg suitable for all kinds of social groups and intended for recreational activities (1). The project instrumentalizes green and blue infrastructure for creating conditions for sport, leisure, and recreation, as well as serving a transitional function for the dwellers of the neighboring Gostenhof and St. Johannis districts (1). The green corridor also provides a protected urban habitat for various species, including more than 8 different tree species, water bats, green woodpeckers and swamp warblers. The project also stabilized the water level of the river and helps flood protection efforts. (2, 7)

In 2017, Park Service of Portsmouth City Council has introduced a new approach to its annual 'In Bloom' campaign, aiming at increasing urban biodiversity, promoting pollinating insects and making the city more colourful (1,5).
As part of the initiative, 15 wildflower meadows have been created with information boards at various spots in the city including parks, gardens and schoolyards as well. Planted seed mixes had been carefully tested and selected to fit the local environmental conditions, including native species and promote pollination (5). The campaign has been appreciated by citizens and visitors of the Urban Meadows (5).
The urban meadows are planted as a part of an annual campaign (3)

Students and teachers of the Faculty of Biology at St. Kliment Ohridski University created a habitat for birds, invertebrate species, and plants. The project aimed to popularise easy steps for increasing biodiversity in urban green spaces and effective practices for preserving it. The created habitat also aims to develop and solidify the biological and conservation knowledge of pupils, university students, and the citizens of Sofia, and to help restore the vanishing bondage between contemporary society and nature. Activities have included planting grasses and shrubs by volunteers, placing bird houses, and educational events. (Ref. 1). For the purposes of "Starling on the doorstep" volunteers among students and teachers of the Faculty of Biology began to develop some of the green spaces in front of the building by enriching the surrounding vegetation, and with it the diversity of animals. It was important for them that the transformation took place right in the yard of the faculty, where the future biologists are trained - the people called to take competent care of nature conservation. The idea for the initiative was warmly accepted by both the dean's management of the faculty and the ecology expert from the Municipality of Lozenets, on whose territory the school is located. (Ref 3)

In 2011, the Great Lines Heritage Park was formed by connecting the Great Lines, Lower Lines, Inner Lines, Forst Amherst and Medway Park together. To do so, a former military area was transformed. The intervention connects the heritage towns of Chatham and Gillingham and the Chatham Waterfront. By connecting the heritage of the town and the waterfront, the project aimed to emphasize both these aspects of the area, but also to improve visitors' access and be a habitat for a number of species (Ref 2). The area has been created from a site that is of international heritage significance. The park is located within the Thames Gateway priority housing area, Europe’s largest regeneration project (ref. 3).

Following the Reading Growallot scheme, a derelict land area in Florian Gardens, Southcote was transformed into an allotment site. The scheme is part of Food 4 Families which is a community allotment project. One in four residents in Southcote live in flats with no garden to enjoy; local families have therefore transformed the land into a thriving allotment, growing fresh, healthy fruit and vegetables. This means that Southcote GrowAllot gives residents the chance to start growing food together. (Ref. 1, 3)

New recreation zone "Norikus Bay" in Nurenberg was completed in 2018 on the south bank of the Wöhrder lake, an artificial lake created in 1968 to protect the city from flooding. The dam itself, which is a 400m long path separating a part of the water surface from the bigger part of the lake, has become a tourist attraction with a water playground and other recreational amenities being offered. The water is naturally cleaned through the regeneration zone with natural plant filter, and simultaneously improves the habitat of fish and makes recreational swimming in possible in the cleaner water. New green areas are organized on the shore in order to improve environmental, aesthetic and recreational conditions of the area (1, 7, 8).

View Island in Reading is a relaxing island with natural open space with grassy paths and seating near to the weir at Caversham Lock. A conservation project has been carried out to e.g. improve water flow, improve biodiversity, and improve the entrance to and around the island. The work has been carried out in consultation with Reading Borough Council, the Environment Agency and has been designed and constructed by Riverworks Ltd. (Ref, 1, 2, 3)

The River Kennet and its tributaries make an excellent topic for introducing subjects to the curriculum at pre-school, primary and secondary levels. The ARK (Action for the River Kennet) project helps protecting the river and educate youngsters about the importance of water by providing educational projects for schools. The 'Trout in Schools' project as a partnership with Thames Water (funding and support), aims to hatch trout eggs and raise them until the trouts are grown enough to be released into the River Kennet (Ref.1, 2). The project has celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2018 and has engaged thousands of children (7).