The Ecology Consultancy invited leading experts Gary Grant and Dusty Gedge from the Green Roof Consultancy, and John Little from Green Roof Shelters, to speak at our first Breakfast Briefing of the year. The Briefing was hosted by The Temple Group at their new London offices on 30th January.
The presenters were welcomed by Mark Skelton, head of Delivery at Temple and then introduced by ecologists from our London Habitats Team.
Their presentation covered a range of small-scale environmental improvements that can enhance biodiversity, attenuate surface run-off, reduce the heat island effect and even provide local communities with places to grow food.
Dusty, Gary and John showed us a range of projects that demonstrated how small scale interventions can make large contributions: from retro-fitted biodiverse green roofs and living walls on large commercial properties, to rain gardens on busy city streets; from living bike and bin shelters at local authority housing estates, as well as maintenance-reducing, visually appealing ecological enhancements along the rail networks.
Our specialists explained some of the engineering challenges but mainly the enormous benefits from small green infrastructure projects. As ecologists who undertake a range of Building Environmental Assessment Tools (Code, BREEAM, CEEQUAL etc.) and who are trained in both horticulture and landscape, The Ecology Consultancy recognises the value of marrying ecological enhancements with good design, not least because space is at a premium , but also because of the need to maximum benefits to people.
Around 30 attended including Temple staff and a range of clients.
