More than 600 volunteers from 19 York area businesses are aiming to complete 63 Community Challenges in the next four weeks, to help increase biodiversity across the city.

York-based employee volunteering charity, York Cares has joined forces with St Nicks,  the City of York Council’s Environment and Community team and the University of York for its annual Big Community Challenge.

Running from now until next Friday (October 11), the Big Community Challenge 2024 aims to increase the connectivity of the ecological network, allowing nature to thrive in the city, building on work done in the previous two years by York Cares’ volunteers.

Linking with the York Green Corridors project, York Cares has identified opportunities to connect sites in the North, East, South and West of the city along routes leading into the city around the city walls.

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Holly Hennell, Manager at York Cares said: “At York Cares, we are delighted to be running the Big Community Challenge for the sixteenth time.

“It represents a fantastic opportunity to bring people together and make a real difference in our community.

“This challenge allows us to showcase the power of collective action and strengthen the connections that make York such a vibrant and caring city.

“We look forward to working with our partners, volunteers, and the wider community to create a lasting impact that everyone can be proud of."

Executive Member for the Environment and Climate, Cllr Jenny Kent said: ‘York Cares are fantastic, marshalling the generosity and enthusiasm of York businesses and staff for projects that transform our open spaces.

“The clearing, planting and painting of murals on the Foss Walkway last year was a triumph, and it’s so inspiring to see people power in action again this year, across our City. Huge thanks to the stewardship of York Cares, and all the wonderful volunteers involved.’

York Cares members who allow their staff time during the working day to take part in the annual Big Community Challenge include Aviva, Benenden Health, boxxe, City of York Council, Johnsons Nurseries, Nestle, Portakabin, Partners PR, The Cabinet Office, University of York and York St John University.  They will be taking part in tasks such as creating, maintaining and improving habitats, and planting hedgerows, wildflowers and tansy.

To get involved with York Cares and the Big Community Challenge visit https://www.yorkcares.co.uk/bcc