Port of San Diego’s Post

Great discussion, Matt. I also noted with interest that the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Left Behind Neighbourhoods published a Report this week entitled A Neighbourhood Strategy for National Renewal, and their recommendations are remarkably similar to those policies embedded in the Strategy launched 25 years ago. Although society has moved on immensely, many of the drivers for neighbourhood renewal remain the same, and many of the recommended approaches still apply. However, it is with frustration that both the APPG Report and the session with Baroness Armstrong seem to understate a key benefit that was revealed from previous programmes of neighbourhood renewal - that of reducing the potential for these areas to be ‘sink-holes’ for the Exchequer and the UK taxpayer.  Don’t get me wrong, I am a big believer in neighbourhood renewal per se. If delivered and organised in the right way, it can certainly address the challenges of our ‘left behind’ areas, and it can deliver a range of social, economic, health, education, community safety and environmental outcomes, thereby improving quality of life conditions and the satisfaction of local people. Evidence from academia and the UK Government itself confirms that neighbourhood renewal over the last 20 years has ensured significant improvements to many disadvantaged areas. Indeed, Sheffield Hallam University’s Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research produced the main NDC evaluation which concluded that it was an overwhelming success. But, more importantly, the evaluation also compared NDC areas with similar non-NDC areas, and found that without the NDC investment and the neighbourhood renewal approach, many of these comparable areas became ‘left behind’. Moreover, the evaluation revealed that most non-NDC areas had a significantly higher net cost to the Exchequer than its comparable NDC area, with increased costs to the benefit system, lower tax revenues generated, and increased costs linked to higher crime rates and poor health. Although not identified as a key conclusion in the evaluation, it is my belief that even taking into consideration the significant NDC investment over its 10-year period, many NDC’s actually saved the Exchequer money. In effect, what I am saying is that neighbourhood renewal is not just an important way of improving people’s quality of life, it also makes financial sense for the UK Government. Turning around the downward spiral of decline can lead to less public funds being invested in those ‘left behind’ areas in the longer-term. Given this argument, I am perplexed as to why the All-Party Parliamentary Group has not stressed this point further. My previous of experience of the UK Government is that you may convince the relevant Secretary of State of a change in policy or funding, but at the end of the day the Treasury holds the purse strings.

My reflection on year one of my heritage-focused public engagement project with Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy is up! To end the year, I dove into the purpose of this project, the value of using the lens of heritage, and the challenges to a three time frame approach where past, present, and future can create synergy around a community space. https://lnkd.in/gMnCYX-4

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🎣 As our coastal communities face rapid changes from population growth, sea level rise, and aging infrastructure, our UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant teams are there to support them. We're bridging the gap between academic knowledge and local needs, empowering governments, industries, and communities with actionable solutions. Our initiatives include boosting Georgia's fishing industry, tackling flood and pollution challenges head-on, and leading community-driven efforts for coastal conservation. 🌱 Read more about our impact on coastal Georgia here: https://lnkd.in/ddNmrfPC -- The University of Georgia

Dive into the heart of South Cobb with our latest blog, where we shed a light on the incredible journey of overcoming obstacles with sheer resilience and determination. 💪 🌟From transformative determination to the community's collective strides towards betterment, this is a testament to the strength and spirit of South Cobb. 💚 Witness the triumphs, the challenges faced, and the victories won, all woven into the rich tapestry of our South Cobb communities. 🔗: https://lnkd.in/ed2ih4bW

The summer issue of the Southwest Water Works Journal from Southwest Section AWWA is out now, and we are thrilled to highlight an article by our very own Assistant City Manager of Operations, Kenneth Schwab, on page 6. He shares his valuable insights on the importance of sharing experiences and the power of collaboration. His perspective is not only inspiring but also a testament to the values we cherish here in Broken Arrow. Check out the issue here: https://lnkd.in/g8j75VnE

So many community-led projects across the region are inspiring showcases of what collaboration, vision & determination can do. The restoration of the Sheringham Point Lighthouse, in Shirley is one such example. ✨ Read Ian's words here: https://bit.ly/445rHLO

Have you ever taken a risk as an organization? Created a strategy, developed a plan, got buy-in and support, and then hoped it worked? That's what we are doing. We are pivoting away from an annual Gala and instead hosting an event this fall we are calling ReGreen Minnesota. We are doing this for a reason: to welcome anyone who wants to take conservation action and make a tangible impact on Minnesota's outdoors. * Instead of tickets priced at over $100 a piece, we are selling them for $40 a person. * Instead of a fancy, seated affair, we are throwing a casual bash where you don't need to buy a new cocktail dress (unless you want to!). * Instead of exclusive, we want to be inclusive. * We'll continue to be informative! From clean water to pollinators, continuous living cover to tree canopies, volunteer events to goats: we'll share what Great River Greening is doing to make an immediate and positive impact on Minnesota's land, for the benefit of people, plants, wildlife, soil and water. Join us and let's ReGreen Minnesota together. #regreen

The Healthy Ocean Coalition is proud to be part of the America the Beautiful For All Coalition! This group consists of 250 organizations working toward President Joe Biden’s goal of conserving 30% of U.S. lands, waters, and ocean by 2030 and achieving the initiatives outlined in Justice40. We are the largest and most representative coalition ever assembled for the most ambitious conservation goal ever set in the United States. The 2024 Policy Agenda, which was released today, iterates on continued priority action items addressed in the 2023 Policy Agenda such as: ensuring marine protected area management and implementation; enacting a Bureau of Land Management Rulemaking to modernize 245 million acres of public lands management; expanding access to existing open space through community use agreements; and more. Explore the policy agenda here: https://lnkd.in/eU3r9MrP Watch this video to learn more about the coalition (if you look closely, you'll see me a few times 😊 ): https://lnkd.in/ev6y5QcM

According to the 2022 Virginia Outdoors Survey, 85.7% of respondents believe that it is important to protect Virginia's natural and open space lands from development. Protecting these areas ensures the preservation of Virginia’s natural heritage for future generations, maintaining the state's scenic beauty and cultural identity. It is clear that Virginians value their natural landscapes supporting conservation and preservation across the Commonwealth. See more results from the 2022 Virginia Outdoors Survey: https://lnkd.in/e4pkw8K7