How can parish and town councils, and their communities, proactively support green spaces, the countryside and the environment with the resources and opportunities that they have?
RCCE’s Community Engagement Team can support you to meet your environmental duties.
The Environment Act of 2021 introduced the requirement for local councils, including parish and town councils, to have regard to Local Nature Recovery Strategies.
Government guidance published in May 2023 outlines three key responsibilities for town and parish councils:
• Consider biodiversity in their area
• Agree policies and objectives to support it
• Act to deliver those objectives
Parish Councils and Communities are the local experts. They know the green spaces within their parish boundary. They know what they would like to protect, where it needs enhancing and what they would like more of, but often do not know how to go about this. A further complication is that multiple landowners and interested parties may own and manage these green spaces.
RCCE’s Community Engagement Team can support you by:
- Facilitating community workshops or events to engage local residents and landowners in taking an active role in environmental projects
- Working with partners, such as Essex Wildlife Trust and the Essex Local Nature Partnership, to get the best technical support for you
- Providing access to experts who can support you, whether directly or through the Environmental Collaboration Essex Network (EC Essex) for which RCCE provides secretariate support
- Running training to increase understanding and skills about nature conservation, biodiversity and habitat
For more information contact enquiries@essexrcc.org.uk
Discovery Days offers a unique opportunity to explore inspiring projects, meet the people driving change, and discover practical approaches to nature recovery, community action, and sustainable land management across Essex.
Through guided site visits and expert-led tours, participants can learn first-hand about innovative initiatives that are making a positive impact for wildlife, landscapes, and local communities. Whether it's exploring urban nature recovery projects in Brightlingsea or visiting pioneering Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) sites such as the Wildfell Centre, Discovery Days provide valuable insight into real-world environmental solutions.
Designed for community groups, volunteers, landowners, environmental professionals, and anyone with an interest in nature and sustainability, these events combine learning, discussion, and networking in some of Essex's most interesting locations.
Places are limited on each visit to ensure an engaging and interactive experience, so early booking is recommended.
Click on the upcoming Discovery Days below and join us to discover how communities and organisations across Essex are helping to create a greener, more resilient future.
1) Wildfell Centre (North Essex) - Thursday 24th September 2026
2) Brightlingsea - Saturday 17th October 2026
