The natural environment should be managed and developed to help wildlife survive a changing climate. Plants and animals will need linked up ‘green infrastructure’ to move between sites and through the town. This greening is not just for wildlife, but will make Reading a better place for people to live. Urban greenspace offers leisure options, enhances well-being, and reduce the temperature of city spaces in the summer months.
Bluebells can be seen in woodland around the town. visit Clayfield Copse or Lousehill Copse in Spring
The Natural Environment Theme
This theme looks at developing actions to increase the resilience of green space and biodiversity in Reading, and encouraging individuals and groups to take part in its protection, development and maintenance.
- Existing natural environment related plans, such as the Reading Biodiversity Action Plan, need to have the impacts of climate change included when updated. Groups, indivdiuals and organisations need to be encouraged to monitor change and share ecological data with the Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre so that this information can be used to inform studies into the effects of climate change on biodiversity
- We anticipate hotter summers in the future and green infrastructure can help reduce this impact across the town and for individual dwellings
- Changes in climate, both for temperature and moisture, will affect the local vegetation and soil, which in turn support the whole biodiversity food chain. Actions are required to mitigate this effect and to provide routes across the town
This chapter and the associated action plan sets out measures to adapt to threats to the natural environment
Environment Theme – Action Plan
Strategic Priorities
- Protect wildlife from impacts of climate change by reviewing council and wildlife agency policies and aligning possible areas of joint action by different bodies and community groups.
- Encourage locals, community groups and businesses to become more involved in the management of local green spaces by increasing education and awareness about wildlife gardening and the many opportunities to help in the monitoring and management of public open space.
Business Focus
There’s opportunities for businesses as well as individuals and NGOs to get 
involved such as
- to provide ‘ethical products’ by being mindful of supply chain impacts in remote locations, which will build trust with consumers and create new business opportunities.
- In the UK, staff morale can be increased and reputational benefit gained from protecting the natural environment and promoting biodiversity in and around the workplace.