Birmingham Open Spaces Forum

15/06/2026

This Wednesday: Free Screening of the National Climate Emergency Briefing film in Sutton Coldfield - a new film featuring Chris Packham, leading scientists, a former general and Jennifer Saunders!

There's still time to book your free place for Wednesday 17th June, 1:30pm - 3:30pm at The Royal (Screen 4) in Sutton Coldfield.

Join for the screening followed by a fireside chat exploring practical ways we can all get involved in improving our environment and communities, from Friends Groups caring for parks to station adoptions, allotments and repair cafés.

Whether you're already part of a community group or just curious about where to start, everyone is welcome.

Book your free ticket: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/national-emergency-briefing-tickets-1987042061295

Check out the link in the comments to watch the trailer and please share with anyone you think might be interested.

15/06/2026

The Friends of Spark Green Park & Friends of Friends at Narthex volunteers are holding a community litter-picking session on Saturday 20th June, 11am to 1pm - and they are inviting everyone to come and get involved with lending a helping hand!

You don't need to commit to the whole session, even half an hour makes a real difference. Meet by the playground swings in Spark Green Park, B12 8EH.

Join us on Saturday 20th June, from 11am to 1pm, for a community litter-picking session at Spark Green Park.

Even an hour can make a meaningful difference. We would love to welcome more volunteers to our friendly group. Whether you can join us for the full session or just spare 30 minutes, your time truly matters.

Next session: Saturday 20th June 2026, 11am to 1pm
Meeting point: Playground swings.
Details in the poster. Please share it with people who want to make a difference to this gratifying cause! We look forward to seeing new faces.

12/06/2026

Great company, beautiful gardens, and even a bit of sunshine at our social this morning hosted by Moseley in Bloom!

Thankfully the rain stayed away today and it was great to see new and familiar faces while catching up with Friends Groups from across Birmingham. A big thank you to the Moseley in Bloom volunteers for their wonderful hospitality in two beautiful private gardens, and to everyone who came along.

It was also brilliant to see the amazing work Moseley in Bloom do around the neighbourhood, including the LTN planters we spotted on the way to the garden, planted up with a wonderful range of flowers and grasses that really brighten up the streets.

If you'd like to see more of Moseley in Bloom's gardens, their Open Gardens event is on Sunday 28th June. Twenty-one gardens, with every ticket supporting the volunteers' planting, greening and year-round projects.

Early bird tickets are £8.50 until Sunday 14th June, with tickets still available after that: https://www.moseleyinbloom.org.uk/tickets

Our next social is the Afternoon Social at Coplow Street Grow Site hosted by North Summerfield Residents Association on Thursday 25th June, 4pm to 7pm. If you'd like to join us, please register for free tickets through the events page on our website.

12/06/2026

National Climate Emergency Briefing: Free Screening in Sutton Coldfield!

Volunteers across Birmingham are showing what positive local action looks like, from Friends Groups caring for parks to station adoptions, allotments and repair cafés. On Wednesday 17th June, there's a chance to be part of a bigger conversation about why that work matters.

Join for a screening of the National Climate Emergency Briefing at The Royal (Screen 4) in Sutton Coldfield, followed by a fireside chat exploring practical ways we can all get involved in improving our environment and communities.

Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/JaI-dHgh65Q?si=D8zqgRFliisdOBh2

Whether you're already part of a community group or just curious about where to start, everyone is welcome.

Tickets are free but booking is required: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/national-emergency-briefing-tickets-1987042061295

Please share with anyone you think might be interested.

Coming to [your town] this April! A new film featuring Chris Packh...

10/06/2026

The Lickey Hills Society are running Balsam Bashes every Saturday throughout June, July and August - and they'd love some more hands to help out! Himalayan balsam is an invasive plant that crowds out native species, reduces biodiversity, and causes soil erosion along watercourses. Despite growing up to two metres tall, it's shallow-rooted and easy to pull out by hand - making it a satisfying one to tackle.

The next session is this Saturday 13th June, meeting at the Visitor Centre in Lickey Hills Country Park on Warren Lane at 10am. Sessions run every Saturday through to the end of August, with some later ones taking place at Cofton Park.

Sessions last around two hours and you don't need to stay for the full time. Just bring gloves, wear long sleeves if you can, and put on appropriate footwear as the ground can be wet and uneven.

A great way to make a real difference to a much-loved green space. All welcome!

10/06/2026

The Great Big Green Week is here, a nationwide celebration of community action on climate and nature!

Join ecobirmingham tomorrow to inspire the next generation - explore the natural world through the power of stories and creative nature crafts at 'Stories 4 Nature'. Thursday 11th June, 10:30am - 11:30am at the Midlands Arts Centre - MAC, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH

Tickets: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/events/stories-4-nature

Find more events near you at www.greatbiggreenweek.com

09/06/2026

Are you a Friends Group member? The BTO British Trust for Ornithology want to hear from you.

They're looking for input from people who help care for green spaces - to make sure the guidance they produce is practical and grounded in real experience. Your knowledge could help shape decisions that benefit both birds and the people who use and love these open spaces.

Please take 5 minutes to complete this quick survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSOXEeWAl_vuG0yYqOwD7CmOIPvjmWaeTc8vl3XcWHIjRcXA/viewform

09/06/2026

Hill Hook Local Nature Reserve is bursting with life right now - there are seven cygnets on the pond, a new brood of Coots just hatched, and young Blue T**s and Great T**s emerging from nest boxes across the reserve. A young Nuthatch was also spotted being fed by an adult on a tree trunk.

In the meadow - Southern Marsh Orchids and Oxeye Daisies are out alongside Foxgloves in full bloom by the dam. Look closely and you might spot a Swollen-thigh Beetle, or the Yellow-barred Longhorn moth.

Many thanks to the Friends of Hill Hook Local Nature Reserve for caring for this brilliant space and sharing the update!

09/06/2026

Funding alert for Friends Groups and community green space projects!
Veolia - UK have just launched their Sustainability Fund 2026 - offering funding, resources, or volunteer support to not-for-profit organisations and community groups making a difference to their local environment.

Projects that enhance biodiversity, promote recycling and reuse, protect natural resources, or improve social wellbeing are all encouraged to apply. Last year's recipients included Bournville Village Trust at Selly Manor Museum, so they have a track record of backing grassroots community work right here in Birmingham.

If your group has a project in mind, it's well worth putting in an application - apply here: https://www.veolia.co.uk/sustainability-fund

08/06/2026

If you've been meaning to come along to our next social event, make sure to book for this Friday's Morning Social with Moseley in Bloom!

Enjoy good company and catch up with other parks and open spaces volunteers from across Birmingham, in a beautiful private garden in Moseley - an exclusive preview ahead of the Moseley in Bloom Open Gardens event later this month. There will be refreshments and homemade cakes too.

Friday 12th June, 11am - 1pm. Free entry, but booking essential. Register for your place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bosf-morning-social-with-moseley-in-bloom-tickets-1989536889393