Date published: 2024-08-12 | Category: Chew Valley, Tackling the climate and ecological emergency
The search is on for a volunteer passionate about the environment to chair the Chew Valley Reconnected Partnership and help develop its work.
The partnership was established to provide coordination of a programme of projects that will better connect and improve wildlife, water and wellbeing and address the impacts of climate change in the Chew Valley.
The partnership’s area of interest is the River Chew Catchment and the Chew Valley landscape area that includes Blagdon Lake. The area extends from the northern slopes of the Mendip Hills National Landscape to Keynsham (in the north-east) and Litton (in the south-east).
The partnership is a green infrastructure partnership project, led by Bath & North East Somerset Council, that was established through stakeholder engagement on the Chew sub-catchment (that includes the River Chew and its tributaries) - part of the wider Bristol Avon Catchment.
The new chair will represent the partnership at a high level, making connections and seeking new opportunities to expand its work, as well as chairing the online quarterly meetings.
The chair will also be an ambassador for the developing programme of Chew Valley Reconnected activities that will help to secure its long-term legacy of enhanced biodiversity, water and land management and heritage with improved access providing for people’s health and wellbeing.
Chew Valley Reconnected projects may have a particular focus, such as improving water quality, habitat, or public access, but they all engage with local communities, benefiting people’s health and wellbeing through connections to nature, inspiring people to enjoy and value local natural spaces and encouraging people to rediscover their local walks, natural environment and heritage.
Councillor Sarah Warren, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel, said: “The chair will play an important role in steering the partnership and we are hoping to attract applicants who are passionate about the Chew Valley’s natural environment and who are keen to use their influence and skills to spot new opportunities to develop and deliver the programme and secure its long-term legacy by engaging others in the care and enjoyment of the area.”
More information about Chew Valley Reconnected, the role and how to apply can be found here. For an informal discussion contact Sarah Jackson, Green Infrastructure and Climate Resilience Manager on 01225 477583.
Interested candidates will be asked to send a 500-word expression of interest to green_infrastructure@bathnes.gov.uk by 6 September 2024. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a selection panel meeting on 12 September 2024. (Please note the deadline to submit an expression of interest has been extended to 30 September.)
The Chew Valley Reconnected Partnership includes: Chew Valley Nature Recovery Network, Avon Needs Trees, Avon Wildlife Trust, Bristol Avon Rivers Trust, Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership, Natural England, and West of England Nature Partnership.
ENDS