Benefits of Community Greenspaces

Apps & Tools

• Bee Score: Flower Finder "Select the flowers you have in your garden, then hit continue to find out your current bee kind score. If you’re not sure exactly which plants you have, try clicking the filters on and off to help identify the bee-friendly flowers in your garden." This is hosted by and for UK residents, so you won't get a bonus for "native species" if you live outside the UK, and might see your local natives listed as "non-native" or get an "invasive penalty" even if those plants are fine where you live, but this is still a fun and educational resource.

Europe

UK

• Bee Score: Flower Finder "Select the flowers you have in your garden, then hit continue to find out your current bee kind score. If you’re not sure exactly which plants you have, try clicking the filters on and off to help identify the bee-friendly flowers in your garden." This is hosted by and for UK residents, so you won't get a bonus for "native species" if you live outside the UK, and might see your local natives listed as "non-native" or get an "invasive penalty" even if those plants are fine where you live, but this is still a fun and educational resource.

Guides & Resources

• Create A Community Greenspace (for Bumble Bees) "This guide offers support to community groups, housing associations, local authorities, schools and other organisations who want to develop a bumblebee-friendly greenspace within their community or local area.
  
  It provides guidance on identifying your space, securing funding, designing and creating your space, and of course top tips for enjoying your new bumblebee haven as a community!" (PDFs available in English and Welsh/Cymraeg)

Europe

UK

• Create A Community Greenspace (for Bumble Bees) "This guide offers support to community groups, housing associations, local authorities, schools and other organisations who want to develop a bumblebee-friendly greenspace within their community or local area.
  
  It provides guidance on identifying your space, securing funding, designing and creating your space, and of course top tips for enjoying your new bumblebee haven as a community!" (PDFs available in English and Welsh/Cymraeg)

Organizations

International

• Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation "is an international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. As a science-based organization, we both conduct our own research and rely upon the most up-to-date information to guide our conservation work. Our key program areas are: pollinator conservation, endangered species conservation, and reducing pesticide use and impacts."

Europe

UK

• Earthwatch Europe: Tiny Forest "brings the benefits of woodland right into the heart of our cities and urban spaces: connecting people with nature, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change, as well as providing nature-rich habitat to support urban wildlife."

North America

USA

• Ashoka's Community Greens A non-profit organization that empowers citizens to create and manage shared green spaces where people live and work.

• Wild Ones "promotes native landscapes through education, advocacy, and collaborative action."

California

• The Watershed Project their "mission is to inspire San Francisco Bay Area communities to understand, appreciate, and protect our local watersheds."

Missouri 

• Camp Monarch "is a newly founded nonprofit committed to addressing the loss of vital habitats for the Monarch Butterfly and many other species across North America.  Right now, we are a small but dedicated team of passionate individuals determined to take action for wildlife and biodiversity. Our work begins by laying the foundation for a network of habitat restoration projects, with a focus on empowering landowners to be part of the solution.
  
  As we get started, we’re recruiting founding members who share our vision of restoring fragmented ecosystems and reconnecting wildlife corridors. Our work may still be in its early stages, but we know that with the right people, every small step will lead to big impact."

Maps

International

• Butterfly Conservation: Wild Spaces: Put Your Wild Space on the Map "Our interactive map shows the number and types of Wild Space near you. When you sign up in the UK, your Wild Space will also appear on the map so you can show everyone that you're taking action and encourage others to get involved too."

Europe

UK

• Butterfly Conservation: Wild Spaces: Put Your Wild Space on the Map "Our interactive map shows the number and types of Wild Space near you. When you sign up in the UK, your Wild Space will also appear on the map so you can show everyone that you're taking action and encourage others to get involved too."

North America

USA

• Direct Native Plants: Find Your Growing Zone 

• PIRG: Interactive Map of Lawn Mower and Leaf Blower Policies "This interactive map shows which cities, states and companies have taken action to cut pollution and noise from gas-powered lawn equipment."

Europe

UK

National award schemes There are a number of key organisations offering grants and advice to community based projects e.g. 

• Big Lottery Fund "Groups can apply to us for funding under £20,000, or over £20,001, depending on what they want to do."

• Heritage Fund "We fund projects of all sizes that connect people and communities to the UK’s heritage."

• Grow Wild UK "Bringing people together to value and enjoy wildflowers and fungi"

North America

Mexico

• Community Seed Grants (CSG) "are available once every year for school gardens and community organizations with regional and cultural connection to the NS/S seed collection. They are offered to garden projects working toward collective food security, seed sovereignty, traditional knowledge, education, and other efforts of community wellness. We do not require CSG recipients to save and return seeds, but encourage those who are able to do so, to provide seeds for their community.
  
  Our region of focus is the Southwest, which generally includes: Arizona, New Mexico, southern Utah, southern Colorado, western Oklahoma, western Texas, southern California, southern Nevada, and northwest Mexico. Native communities in arid places outside of this region may also apply.
  
  We strive to support projects in Mexico. Due to mailing restrictions it is best if you have someone in the US who can receive and bring the seeds to Mexico.  

USA

• A Well Fed World "Apply for a grant to support your plant-based feeding, farming and/or advocacy."

• Community Seed Grants (CSG) "are available once every year for school gardens and community organizations with regional and cultural connection to the NS/S seed collection. They are offered to garden projects working toward collective food security, seed sovereignty, traditional knowledge, education, and other efforts of community wellness. We do not require CSG recipients to save and return seeds, but encourage those who are able to do so, to provide seeds for their community.
  
  Our region of focus is the Southwest, which generally includes: Arizona, New Mexico, southern Utah, southern Colorado, western Oklahoma, western Texas, southern California, southern Nevada, and northwest Mexico. Native communities in arid places outside of this region may also apply.
  
  We strive to support projects in Mexico. Due to mailing restrictions it is best if you have someone in the US who can receive and bring the seeds to Mexico.  

• Eat The Change "ETC Impact™ is a grant program working to promote and expand access to climate-friendly foods. We're donating more than $1.25 million over three years to support a diverse group of changemaking nonprofit organizations."

• Seeds of Change Grant Program "A foundation helping individuals sow the seeds of a better world."

Minnesota

• MWMO: Community Grants "are available for short-term or small-scale water quality projects. The grant amount may not exceed $5,000. No matching funds are required."

Oceana

Australia

Western Australia

• The Sustainability Grants Program (in the City of Cockburn) "offers funding for projects related to six sustainability themes. Open to small businesses, schools, not-for-profits, and collective households, successful applicants can receive up to $4,000 for their project."