Environmental partners sign up to Climate Adaptation World Café 

The marketplace of partner organisations will take place at its Climate Adaptation World Café Event taking place on 9 November.

The marketplace will allow partner organisations to inform residents of the work they are doing locally along with opportunities to get involved.

Organisations in attendance at the event will include: Warwickshire Wildlife Trust (WWT), Garden Organic, Rugby Eco Hub, Transition Town Rugby, and Rugby Cycle Forum.

John Slinger MP and Mary Creagh MP, the Minister for Nature, will address the free event, which will be held at the Benn Hall on 9 November from 10am to 2pm, in the format of a World Café engagement event.

One of the organisations, Garden Organic, has recently announced a partnership with the borough council to provide support to volunteer Community Champions across the borough. Community champions will offer training and advice to residents around growing their own food, composting, preventing waste and using natural methods to promote healthy, productive and sustainable gardens and green spaces. They will be using the opportunity to promote the partnership to interested residents.

Commenting on the event, Garden Organic’s CEO Fiona Taylor said: “We look forward to attending the event with our team on hand at the market stall. Partnership working is the best way to reach our local communities and, as a local organisation, we’re delighted to be doing so with our own borough council in Rugby. 

“Volunteers are central to showing people how to get started. Their enthusiasm is infectious, and they take part in training people up in gardening and composting skills. The idea is to equip people with straightforward ways they can recycle their garden and kitchen waste, while also advising them on how to garden in the very best way to boost biodiversity. “

Speaking about community involvement for climate action, Cllr Alison Livesey, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for operations and traded services, said:  “Engaging residents about climate adaptation and resilience can foster a sense of ownership and responsibility. Initiatives like community gardens, tree-planting days, and educational programs can empower citizens, and encourage them to take active roles in creating a more sustainable Rugby.

“Our World Café event on 9 November at the Benn Hall is the first step in our conversation with residents about how our borough should adapt to the challenges presented by climate change. We are excited to develop a partnership approach to engage with volunteers and residents, with particular regards to climate, environment and biodiversity net gains.”

Cllr Sam Edwards, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Climate and Environment said: “It will be great to hear from organisation from across the borough at this event. I very much welcome the community work of our partners, for example the new climate action partnership between Rugby Borough Council and sustainable gardening charity Garden Organic. 

“Volunteer champions and sustainable community projects can make a real difference. Other recent environmental partnership projects, include the heat Resilient Herb Garden in Rugby town centre, The Bluebell project in Abbotts Farm and the Eco Hub in Clifton Road.

“Championing these gardens and open spaces can help make Rugby a more biodiverse and greener place to live.”

To sign up to attend the Climate Adaptation World Café event, or find out more, residents can go to: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rugby-borough-councils-climate-adaptation-world-cafe-event-tickets-1031020759847.