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by Gayle Dallaston (Author)
What would it be like if our streets were long line of thriving street trees supported by native verge gardens?
Street trees make our cities cooler. Native gardens add biodiversity. Put them together and we could transform our cities - quickly without extra funding.
It seems simple. Councils already plant the trees. The residents already mow. All that land is there waiting for us to take better care of it. Let's work together to plant native verge gardens to support street trees, threading through our suburbs to reduce urban heat and add biodiversity .
We know what we need to do. So, why can't we make it happen?
How can councils plant more street trees in places where they will survive and thrive?
How do you avoid a war with your council, or with your neighbours, when you plant a verge garden? How do you know where to start?
Good intentions and enthusiasm are not enough.
Gayle Dallaston started her verge garden in 2017.
Over these years, she's studied what works and what doesn't. Why people give up. Why disputes happen. And why some people never start.
This book is to help you avoid the pitfalls and give you the confidence to start.
Drawing on practical knowledge and experience, this method provides a localised activity that we can all be part of. You'll learn how to navigate the different views of many diverse users and uses of this complicated space. You'll have a living example of a nature-based solution to mitigate urban heat and climate change.
As a citizen gardener, you'll build productive relationships and networks to make a difference in your community.
When we collaborate, everyone wins:
- the council's trees thrive,
- the residents have low-maintenance gardens instead of mowing,
- and natural biodiversity gets a much-needed boost.
This doable local action creates the hope and optimism to want to do more. The strategic framework makes it scalable.
