Greening Our Communities: A Collaborative Learning Session

This session is part of a collaboration between Holkham and Norfolk Community Foundation, grounded in a shared commitment to community‑led action that helps local environments and wildlife thrive across Norfolk.

Through the Foundation’s Greening Our Communities programme, Norfolk Community Foundation works alongside local charitable groups who are caring for and transforming green spaces in their communities. Since 2021, we have supported more than 80 community‑led projects. Many focus on practical activity such as community gardens, allotments, orchards and growing spaces, often supported by volunteer sessions, workshops and wider community use.

Again and again, groups tell us they are passionate and motivated, but that confidence can be a barrier, particularly when it comes to biodiversity and environmental impact. Common questions include:

• What does good biodiversity practice look like in a community green space?
• What is realistic to monitor or evidence, given the time and capacity we have?
• How can we clearly show the environmental benefit of the work we are already doing?

Holkham has a long‑standing commitment to supporting thriving landscapes and local environments, and has generously offered its time, skills and experience to support community groups across Norfolk. This session has been shaped directly by what groups have told us would be most helpful.

Holkham provides a working example of how land management, conservation and development can be considered together over time. Its approach is guided by a long-term view of conservation and sustainability through their action plan WONDER.

Holkham’s team will share practical, accessible tools and approaches that community organisations can use straight away. The focus is on what is achievable and inclusive, rather than anything overly technical or academic.

The day will include:

• Guided visits around the estate, led by the Holkham team, offering the opportunity to see approaches in practice
• Open discussion and the chance to exchange ideas with others
• Lunch and time to connect

Together, Holkham and Norfolk Community Foundation hope this session will help community groups feel more confident, better equipped, and supported to capture and communicate the environmental impact of the work they are already doing. This could support your own understanding of how your project is contributing to nature’s recovery in Norfolk, as well as help inspire others to support your work through funding or partnership.

What you'll gain

You will leave with greater confidence, practical ideas and light‑touch tools to support biodiversity and capture environmental impact in ways that feel achievable, proportionate and relevant to your community project.