Environmental groups in Southampton are organising several green initiatives in the city this month, as we mark the first day of Spring.

Southampton National Park City is an environmental community group and campaign group that wants Southampton to achieve National Park City status, which London has also achieved.

"Southampton is a unique city. We are well known for our maritime history, our pioneering research, and our incredible natural heritage - these make us resilient, healthy and prosperous. The Southampton National Park City project wants to create more spaces that are safe to play in and where nature can flourish - a city where people, culture and nature work together." said Southampton National Park City project.

Christelle Blunden, 39, is a co-ordinator of the Southampton National Park City project. Christelle outlined some of the Spring projects planned for the group and is also calling on local people, businesses and schools to get involved.

"We're planting a range of saplings at the end of March, which are going to be crowd sourced and redistributed. This year we have an agreement with the International Tree Foundation and are looking for businesses and schools that would like to plant trees on private land. This week is the last chance to get the word out really and next week will be the last chance to get a sapling so that we can get it planted by the end of the month. We also have a kids competition for them to imagine a tree they might plant and people who enter will get a sapling. The competition engages children's imagination, to imagine how we can be better connected to nature" Christelle said.

Speaking about the environmental activities of other groups, Christelle said:

"We're also promoting the activities of smaller groups. Friends of Shirley Pond is doing a big clean at Shirley Pond on March 5, 2pm at Shirley Skate Park on Warren Avenue. There will also be a seed swap there. Ropewalk Community Garden will also be planting seeds and doing some indoor planting in greenhouses. On the last Sunday of the month, there will also be a volunteer day at Sholing Valleys Study Centre between 11pm to 3pm. They will be doing pre planting and clearing up at the Miller's Pond site in Sholing."

Those interested can get in touch with Southampton National Park City project by emailing southampton-npc@protonmail.com