1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Glasgow
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Woodland Community garden
Short description of the intervention
The woodland community garden is the main project of the Woodland community. Since 2010 they have transformed a derelict urban waste dumping site into a thriving community garden and ‘outdoor community centre’. Since then it has become an important local space where people make new friends and feel part of the community. It’s also a great place to unwind from the everyday stresses and strains of city life. Each year, around 50 households grow their own fruit, vegetables and herbs in the garden’s raised beds. The garden has over 50 raised beds where local people can grow their own food with beds allocated on an annual basis. For people who do not have raised beds there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved, including via twice-weekly volunteer sessions. The garden is a wonderfully therapeutic space that helps people to recover from the stresses and strains of everyday life. (Ref 1)
Address

91-101 West Princes St
Glasgow G4 9BY
Glasgow
G4 9BY
United Kingdom

Location
Point location, which indicates where the NBS takes place
Total area
600.00m²
NBS area
600.00m²
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Previous derelict area
Website of the intervention
https://www.woodlandscommunity.org.uk/community-garden
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2009
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2010
End date of the intervention
2010
Present stage of the intervention
Completed
Goals of the intervention
(a) Shaping the future of Woodlands in ways that are sustainable, environmentally friendly and innovative.
(b) to include supporting community-based education activities.
(c) promoting the health and well-being of our community.
(d) encouraging participation in community arts.
(e) the advancement of environmental protection.
(f) to produce locally grown vegetables.
(g) to transform an unused space into a community garden. (Ref 1)
Quantitative targets
Unknown
Monitoring indicators defined
Number of new seedlings planted, the amount of increased green area, the amount of food produced number of volunteers and gardeners involved (Ref 1)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Climate change mitigation
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social interaction
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Improving mental health
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
Economic development: agriculture
Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
Sustainable production
Climate change mitigation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Sequester and store carbon
Climate change mitigation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Increase green urban nature for carbon storage (wetlands, tree cover)
Implementation activities
In 2010 the Woodland community have transformed a derelict urban place into a thriving community garden and “outdoor community centre”. The volunteers with the help of the locals cleared the space, planted trees and built raised beds for food production. They created over 50 raised beds where local people can grow their own food, with beds allocated on an annual basis. The locals had grown their own vegetables and fruits. Each year, around 50 households grow their own fruit, vegetables and herbs in the garden’s raised beds. They organize a weekly meeting with the locals to help them in food production. The community also built a community meeting room and a cafe. The meeting room is used for activities to engage the locals and is provided to other organizations and charity for different events. (Ref 1)
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
Transformation of previously derelict areas
Knowledge creation and awareness raising
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Community gardens and allotments
Community gardens
Please specify the number of plots or allotment gardens
50 raised beds
Vegetation Type
Trees
Garden beds
Please specify how many trees were planted
Unknown
Amenities offered by the NBS
Cultural (museum, concert areas)
Complementing infrastructure (bathrooms, café)
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Food for human consumption (crops, vegetables)
Regulating services
Local climate regulation (temperature reduction)
Air quality regulation
Carbon storage/sequestration
Pollination
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Maintenance of genetic diversity
Cultural services
Recreation
Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational)
Social and community interactions
Scale
Spatial scale
Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings)
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Citizens or community groups
Marginalized groups
Marginalized groups
Elderly people
People with functional diversities
Governance
Governance arrangements
Led by non-government actors
Non-government actors
Citizens or community groups
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
The entire project was led by the Woodland Community.
Key actors - initiating organization
Citizens or community group
Land owners
No information found
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Local government/municipality
Citizens or community group
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Citizen science
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Unknown
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Voluntary (spontaneous)
Please specify other type of voluntary intervention
To grow local cheap food and recover from the stresses and strains of everyday life. (Ref 1).
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
The Woodland Community
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
The Willowbank Community Garden: a research project by the Woodland community on community garden (Ref 1,2)
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Big Lottery (Community Led Activity), Central Scotland Green, Network Development Fund, Development Trust Association Capacity and Resilience Fund, Scottish Government People and Communities Fund (Ref 2)
Co-finance for NBS
Yes
Co-financing governance arrangements
No
Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?
Not applicable
Financing
Total cost
€10,000 - €50,000
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
Unknown
What are the total amount of expected annual maintenance costs?
Unknown
What is the expected annual maintenance costs of the NBS or GI elements?
Unknown
Please specify cost savings
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
Unspecified total cost. Funding bodies: Principal Sources of Funding (June 2017), Big Lottery (Community Led Activity), Big Lottery Celebrate, Central Scotland Green, Network Development Fund, Development Trust Association Capacity and Resilience Fund, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Robertson Trust, Scottish Government's Strengthening Communities Programme, Scottish Government Fair Food Transformation Fund, Scottish Government People and Communities Fund, Capital Funding for Woodlands Workspace, Bi-partite Trust Fund.
Source(s) of funding
Public regional budget
Public local authority budget
Private Foundation/Trust
Type of fund(s) used
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Donations
Non-financial contribution
Yes
Type of non-financial contribution
Provision of land
Provision of goods
Provision of labour
Provision of expertise
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Other
Business models
Local stewardship model
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Private non-for-profit actor (e.g. NGO, foundation)
Type of innovation
Social
Governance innovation
Please specify social innovation
The community implemented the whole project by themselves in an area given by the local authority. They have created raised beds and distributed it among the locals, planted new seedlings, created facilities in support of the innovation. (Ref 1)
Novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Replicability/Transferability
The innovation is transferred to new initiative(s) without substantial adaptation
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
The Woodland community has other similar kinds of projects (eg. the Willowbank Community Garden) in the city. The same innovation is transferred in other projects. (Ref 2)
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Environmental quality
Improved air quality
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Enhanced support of pollination
Restoration of derelict areas
Description of environmental benefits
The community garden planted trees that help in improving the local climate. They also help in improving air quality and reduce the local air temperature. The area has been created by converting a vacant spot and turning it into a green space where locals can grow their own food and enjoy organic farming (Ref 1).
Economic impacts
Increase in agricultural production (for profit or not)
Description of economic benefits
The locals can grow their own food in the garden for consumption (Ref 1). These food are also available for consumption at the community cafe and is distributed to the locals as "neighbourhood food service". The "neighbourhood food service" is an approach taken by the community in response to the COVID-19 crisis (Ref 1).
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved social cohesion
Fair distribution of social, environmental and economic benefits of the NBS project
Improved access to urban green space
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
Increased access to healthy/affordable food
Increased sustainability of agriculture practices
Health and wellbeing
Improved mental health
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Improvement in people’s connection to nature
Education
Increased support for education and scientific research
Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Description of social and cultural benefits
The garden is a hub for the many activities the community carry out in Woodlands, including arts, cultural and musical events. The garden is also the focus of many projects that they run with local partners - everything from local school children learning about plastic pollution to adults helping with protecting urban wildlife. They also offer practical advice and support. In addition, they deliver regular training workshops on topics relating to gardening, bio-diversity and the environment.
The garden is a wonderfully therapeutic space that helps people to recover from the stresses and strains of everyday life. Over the coming months, Woodlands Community will be offering additional opportunities for people to get outdoors, to help improve local green spaces and spend time observing nature. They are also offering free and confidential emotional support through one to one outdoor appointments with a mental health specialist (REf 1, 2).
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
Amount of organic food produced, number of trees planted, number of raised beds and allowed to food growers, number of volunteers and number and type of events and activities.
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
Paid employment positions
Voluntary work opportunities
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Positive distribution of NBS benefits
Increased access to healthy food for humans and/or animals
Please specify other method used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Consultation with the volunteers
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
The garden is still open during Lockdown, but making sure that rules around social distancing are being followed by. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Workspace building is closed to the public and we are not currently taking bookings. The community cafe is also suspended but the community started "neighbourhood food service" where the garden-grown foods are distributed to the locals and marginalized people (Ref 1).
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
Collection of monitoring data continuously throughout the project to aid evaluation
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Focus groups
Other
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Impact assessment mechanism
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
Unknown
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Citizen involvement
Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation
Yes
Mode(s) of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
Questionnaire
Focus Group
Please specify other modes of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
The garden is a joint initiative of the locals and the authority. The citizens have been provided the raised beds to produce their own food. They are also involved in evaluating the project by participating in weekly meetings. (Ref 1,2)
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Yes
Please specify
The garden is a joint initiative of the locals and the authority. The citizens have been provided the raised beds to produce their own food. They are also involved in evaluating the project by participating in weekly meetings. (Ref 1,2)
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Yes
Please specify
Based on the discussions in the weekly meetings the locals and the authority make necessary steps like changing the crops seasonally and changing the methods of the food production. (Ref 1)
References
List of references
1. Woodland Community Garden website. Available at: https://www.woodlandscommunity.org.uk/community-garden. Accssed on 29th July, 2020.
2. Byrne Pat (2020) Nurture through Nature-one to one support Woodlands community. Pat’s Guide. Available at: https://www.glasgowwestend.co.uk/nurture-through-nature-one-to-one-support-woodlands-community/. Accessed on 29th July, 2020.
3. Woodland community facebook page. Available at: https://www.facebook.com/woodlands.garden/
. Accessed on 29th July, 2020.

Additional comments
Finding bodies: Principal Sources of Funding (June 2017), Big Lottery (Community Led Activity), Big Lottery Celebrate, Central Scotland Green, Network Development Fund, Development Trust Association Capacity and Resilience Fund, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Robertson Trust, Scottish Government's Strengthening Communities Programme, Scottish Government Fair Food Transformation Fund, Scottish Government People and Communities Fund, Capital Funding for Woodlands Workspace, Bi-partite Trust Fund, Creative Scotland, Morrisons Foundation, Robertson Trust, Scottish Government Town Centres Communities Capital Fund.
Extra notes: 2016 Winner of Most Inspiring Garden Project in UK in 2016 Cultivation Street Competion, 2016 Featured as an example of best practice in a UK wide study of best practice in community gardens and improving health, 2015 Winner GLASGOWS BEST COMMUNITY GARDEN in the Evening Times Streets Ahead Awards, 2014 prize of Inspiration street in UK wide Cultivation Street.
Interview comments
I contacted the authority and yet to receive their comments.
Comments and notes
Comments
Woodlands Community Garden has remained open during the pandemic and they have seen the benefits the garden has brought to its visitors in reducing their stress. This has led to developing a new initiative – their Nature Recovery Project.
Pictures of the NBS
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/collin_marigolds.jpg
Public Images
Woodland Community garden. Source: Woodland Community. Available at: https://www.woodlandscommunity.org.uk/community-garden. Accessed on 30th July, 2020
Woodland Community garden
Woodland Community garden
https://www.woodlandscommunity.org.uk/community-garden
Woodland Community garden
Woodland Community garden
https://www.woodlandscommunity.org.uk/community-garden
Woodland Community garden
Woodland Community garden
https://www.woodlandscommunity.org.uk/community-garden
Please specify other source of non-financial contribution
Community group(s)