00:00Quality green spaces and parks provide real opportunities for healthy recreation.
00:07They support biodiversity and they contribute to reducing flood risk and air pollution.
00:12During 2025 to 2027, the Welsh Government will provide over £18 million of capital funding
00:19to support the creation of local green spaces and access improvements.
00:23It might not be quite the weather for it today, but spending time in nature is a massively important thing for people all across the country.
00:32Local parks and woodlands areas, as well as so much natural space in Wales, is a point of national pride
00:38and having access to those spaces is something that people hold dear.
00:42Politicians have been discussing how to make sure access to green spaces is available to all of us
00:47and protecting green sites is something that the Welsh Government say is a top priority for them
00:52making sure our parks are there for us.
00:55This month is National Walking Month, but sadly many barriers prevent people from being able to access green spaces easily
01:03and of course the health benefits that they bring.
01:05It's essential therefore we are sure everyone has safe, secure and convenient access to local green spaces.
01:11On the principle of it, you're absolutely right. We need to make sure that we maintain and enhance green spaces
01:17as well. That includes things such as the local rights of way network across Wales as well as the longer distance trails and so on.
01:25Those local places that people can get to are very important.
01:28Thank you as well for flagging up the fact that it's National Walking Month.
01:32As you know, in my interest, I'm a very keen walker. I have been for many, many years.
01:37And again, I think the importance with that is that it's not only those who don a backpack and big boots and woolly socks and so on
01:44and head off on long distance trails. It's actually the local access as well.
01:47But I appreciate you raising those concerns here in the Senedd.
01:51No Mo May has been a talking point of recent years and provides our local wildlife with a place to flourish.
01:57Countles across Wales have taken part and said that they won't cut some grass in some areas through the month of May
02:03to give insects, birds and other animals a habitat that they can thrive in.
02:08But some members are making sure that everyone is taking part.
02:12This weekend as part of No Mo May, Plant Life, invited me to visit Averge in Denbyshire,
02:17which thanks to the local places for nature funding you've just mentioned,
02:21has seen over the last four years the species increase by 300% in diversity, which is wonderful to see.
02:28And from a distance it may look like overgrown grass and what people might call weeds,
02:33but I know the wildflowers are great for insects and those grass seeds feed the birds.
02:39Oh, and are you taking place in No Mo May?
02:42All in the spotlight! In the spotlight!
02:46My neighbours will be checking how they've had the binoculars out on it.
02:50Yes, I can't confirm once again. I am taking place.
02:54I mean last year we went through the whole of the summer.
02:56So we moved very early on and we moved very late there.
02:59How many paths have you been so excited for?
03:02Isn't that nice?
03:03Like a little bit, I'll know about that.
03:04You're doing a little bit like that.
03:05I've had a little bit of work.
03:08I should be doing a little bit of work at it.
03:11I am not talking to you, but I have a little bit of work.
03:12You're doing another type of work.
03:13I'm doing a little bit of work at the beginning.
03:16I'm doing a little bit of work.
03:18I'm doing a little bit of work on things like that.
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