The Suffolk Association of Local Councils Climate Forum (SALC) is a network of parish councillors and clerks with a common interest in working towards the aspiration of making Suffolk carbon neutral by 2030, as well as making wider improvements for the environment and wildlife within their parishes. The Climate Forum is a place where parishes can come together to get advice and learn from each other on a range of topics such as electric vehicle charging stations, community energy projects and potential funding opportunities.

Suffolk Wildlife Trust can support parishes in several ways. Our Wilder Landscapes Team provides advice to parishes and community groups looking to improve community green space, county wildlife sites and rivers for wildlife. The Wildlife Trust's vision for 30% of land and sea to be managed well for wildlife by 2030 means we need to work with Suffolk parishes to improve land which parish councils manage or have influence over. There is huge potential to welcome more wildlife into communities through changes in management, from tree and hedgerow planting to ambitious river restoration projects, Suffolk Wildlife Trust can provide advice and guidance to parishes hoping to make a difference for wildlife.

Suffolk Wildlife Trust has also grown our Planning and Advocacy team so we can provide more advice to parishes preparing their Neighbourhood Plans. Neighbourhood Plans can be a great place for parishes to highlight the wildlife and habitats already existing in a parish and how these could be enhanced. All Suffolk parishes have a role to play in creating the Nature Recovery Network which is required to reverse wildlife declines across the county and Neighbourhood Plans can be a great place to set out ambitions to create a parish-scale Nature Recovery Network. Many parishes are already ensuring that wildlife and environment are at the heart of their Neighbourhood Plans by highlighting where green corridors could be created and setting out community actions to protect wildlife in their parish. We hope to be able to support more parishes to do the same.

See the SALC Climate Forum page for more details and links to inspiring projects being led by Suffolk parishes.

Everyone of us can make a positive difference for wildlife where we live - find out more about #TeamWilder here.