More Nature

Rationale and approach

The children's council chose More Nature as its topic at the council meeting on Feb. 1, 2023.

Two council meetings explored and discussed this issue. 

Review of meeting Nov. 29, 2023

At the November 29, 2023 meeting, the children's council explored in 2 rounds with pictures what nature actually means and why we need more nature in Kerkrade. In the first round, they identified what beautiful greenery is.
Trees are calming and can also be an emotional reminder. They provide more biodiversity. Flowers give color, are good and necessary for insects, among other things. But flowers or other greenery can also cause hay fever or other nuisances. Another form of nature is façade greenery. A good solution for areas with many buildings. This provides co2 compensation, among other things.

In the second round of photos, the council members examined together how much and what nature there already is in Kerkrade. Together, the council members were able to identify many green spaces. The life tree forest did not have as much prominence. They are proud of what is already there. The greenery seems like a lot, but there are also many places in Kerkrade where there is little to no greenery. They looked at the ratio of buildings, nature and infill.

The council members note together that nature also needs a lot of maintenance. Together they discuss how the neighborhoods and schools can be more involved in this. This does require different approaches,    

Finally, they brainstormed about how to make Kerkrade greener. There should be more greenery in the neighborhoods. Facade vegetation could also provide a solution. 

Ideas contributed:

• Maintenance of green space with schools 
• Greening schoolyards
• Clearances
• Planting trees bv Tree Planting Day
• Children's Council records video to emphasize the importance of a green living environment. 
• Plant Action

Conclusion

As a result of the first meeting, the children's council concludes that there are already very nice places and many walking places with lots of greenery in Kerkrade, but also that it is sometimes boring. Other comments include the lack of benches in nature, maintenance and that can often be messy. Also, according to the Children's Council, all residents should be more involved in landscaping and maintenance. 

Review of meeting Jan. 24, 2024

At the second council meeting on Jan. 24, 2024, council members conducted a concept game to further define the concept of nature and how important trees are to our environment. From this came the following findings:

• Trees remove carbon dioxide - CO2 - from the air
• Can capture particulate matter
•  Giving food
• Provide an environment that is important to animals
•   Offer firmness to the ground
• Have a positive effect on health and even promote it
•  Offer shade
• Give more sense of happiness
•  Give a home more (financial) value

Next, the children's councilors were included in the 3-30-300 model. Briefly, this means that three trees should be visible from every home. Next, thirty percent of a neighborhood should be shaded by a tree, and finally, there should be a cooling park at three hundred yards from every home.

Using a map, the children's council members looked at which places in Kerkrade comply with this rule and where they do not. Business parks in particular are colored red/orange, but the children's councilors are also impressed by how many streets are still colored red/orange.

Also during this meeting, the council discusses how residents can become more involved with nature in their immediate environment. They discuss initiatives such as Operation Stone Break and Tree Planting Day. 

Conclusions

For the Children's Council, more nature is needed because it has a positive impact on people's health. It provides an environment in which animals and plants can live. Nature is an environment untouched by humans. Plants, animals, soil, water and air together form one whole; the ecosystem.
The ratio of red/orange to yellow/green is an issue. Also, the various green areas should be connected.

Advice and recommendations

The Children's Council advises: