Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust

Who we are

The Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT) is an independent charity and social enterprise, dedicated to improving the quality of life for our communities by re-connecting people with their local green spaces.

We believe that quality greenspaces and green networks create environments where people can lead safe, happy, healthy and active lives.  They make attractive and vibrant places where businesses want to locate and invest, and where people chose to visit and stay.

The Edinburgh Green Belt Trust was established in 1991 and re-launched as the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust in December 2006, reflecting a change in remit and area of operation.  ELGT is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee.

The Trust usually works for, or in partnership with, other organisations.  We deliver or manage an extensive rolling programme of practical projects and events ranging from park regeneration and woodland planting to community learning workshops and innovative programmes to deliver health and well-being benefits.

ELGT is dedicated to improving the green environments in and around Edinburgh for the benefit of all, promoting biodiversity and equal opportunity of involvement.  Priority is given to supporting disadvantaged communities where there may be no ready access to garden, play area and countryside, or where there are special needs. Increasingly, ELGT is delivering health promotion projects, involving individuals in therapeutic programmes of outdoor activities for referred patients, or as programmes to increase physical activity levels in areas of social and health inequality, and working to tackle barriers to access and engagement.

At a strategic level, ELGT has been closely involved in the development of the Central Scotland Green Network, a national priority of the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework (NPF3); particularly through the delivery of the Lothians & Fife Green Network Partnership and as host to that partnership’s manager and project officer.

Our priority activities 2015-18 are:

1. Better greenspaces for people and wildlife

2. Increased active travel

3. Greater appreciation/understanding of greenspaces and natural capital

4. Direct involvement in gardening, growing, conservation and managing local greenspaces

5. Improved physical and mental health by engaging with greenspaces

6. Maximised use of greenspaces as avenues for positive outcomes

Our services are to create, improve and promote greenspaces, gardens, parks and vacant land. In partnership with active local community partners, we develop community gardens, new woodlands, play spaces and better urban landscapes for people, the environment and for biodiversity.

Our current 2015-2018 strategy is available to download on our website.