Out and About with Birmingham’s Park Rangers

Wild at Heart – Healthy Parks Programme

No need to book

Do you live in or near Aston, Newtown or Nechells ward and are you looking for a fun, rewarding way to enjoy the outdoors, get some exercise, meet new people and give back to your community? Check out the list of activities below:

You can bring the whole family and take part in our free nature-inspired Wild at Heart in the Park activities – suitable for all ages! Please note: children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Or get some exercise by joining a Community Clean and Green activity – litter picks, planting for pollinators, or creating wildlife-friendly areas, your time makes a difference to you and your environment.

Or join a Wild Walks with time to talk and spot wildlife and other points of interest as you connect with nature and exercise together around the park.

No experience needed – just enthusiasm! Wear suitable outdoor clothing and footwear. Check for cancellation in bad weather. Come along, get stuck in, and help make our parks better for both people and wildlife.

Email Lickey.hub@birmingham.gov.uk for more information.

Dates For Your Diary

Tuesday 11th August Clean and Green session – Burbury Street Park
11am – 12.30.
Do you think your park could look better? Want to make a difference? Then join the Rangers to help make your park a better place.
Meet by the notice board by the playground.
Newtown B19 2UP

Wed 12th August:  Wild at Heart in the Park – Burbury Street Park.
12 o’clock to 2pm
Join the rangers and the Burbury Park community forum for fun and games and find out more about the nature on your door step.
Suitable for families with children ages 4-12 years but anyone is welcome !
Meet at the pavilion building in the park.
Newtown B19 2UP

Thursday 13th August:   Clean and Green session – Newtown Public Open Space
11:30 am
Do you think your park could look better? Want to make a difference? Then join the Rangers to help make your park a better place.
Meet at the Farm Street pedestrian entrance.

Fri 14th August:   Clean and Green session – Aston Park
11 am – 12.30.
Do you think your park could look better? Want to make a difference? Then join the Rangers to help make your park a better place.
Meet outside the pavilion in the park

Tuesday 18th August: Clean and Green session –  Witton Lane Gardens / Public Open Space.
11 am- 12.30.
Do you think your park could look better? Want to make a difference? Then join the Rangers to help make your park a better place.
Meet at the Holte Road entrance
B6 6QB

Wed 19th August: Wild at Heart in the Park: Bloomsbury Park
12 o’clock to 2pm
Join the Rangers, BOSF and TAWS teams for fun and games and find out more about the nature on your door step. Suitable for families with children ages 4-12 years but anyone is welcome !
Meet by the playground.
Nechells B7 4NY

Thursday 20th August Clean and Green session – Georges Park
11.30 -12.30 
Help to care for the flowerbed. Do you think your park could look better? Want to make a difference? Then join the Rangers to help make your park a better place.
Meet by the playground
B19 1PP

Friday 21st August : Clean and Green Session – Yellow Park
11 am
Help to care for the raised bed. Do you think your park could look better? Want to make a difference? Then join the Rangers to help make your park a better place.
Meet at the Porchester road entrance at
Newtown B19 2LA

Mon 24th August: Mindful Nature walk:  Bloomsbury Park
11 am -12.00 
Take a moment to clear your head, take a calming stroll and find out how noticing nature benefit your brain!
Meet the ranger by the notice board nearest the playground.
Nechells B7 4NY

Tues 25th Aug Clean and Green Session – Philip street POS
11-12.30 
Do you think your park could look better? Want to make a difference?
Then join the Rangers to help make your park a better place.
Meet by the playground.

Wed 26th August: Wild at Heart in the Park – Eliot Street POS ‘Old lady’s Park’
12.30 to 2.30 pm
Join The Park Rangers, The Active Wellbeing Society and BOSF for fun and games and find out more about the nature on your doorstep. Suitable for families with children ages 4-12 years but anyone is welcome !
Nechells B7 5LX

Thursday 27th August:  Ranger led Nature walk – from Eliot street park to Salford park and back.
11.30 am
Get some gentle exercise and check out the sights and sounds in some of Nechells green spaces and along the canal side.
Approx. 3 miles
Meet by the notice board
Nechells  B7 5LX

Birmingham Ranger Service
Wild at Heart Programme

Burbury Park Family Activities Blog

See what happens when people and nature connect, read the: Burbury Park Wild at Heart Blog


Birmingham Ranger Service

Birmingham’s Park Ranger Service cares for the city’s parks, countryside and nature reserves while helping people connect with nature through events, activities, volunteering and support for community groups.

Like all Council services, the Ranger Service has had to adapt in response to the significant financial challenges facing Birmingham City Council. As part of the Council’s transformation programme, vacant Ranger posts were removed and the service was reshaped to operate within the resources available. The remaining Rangers continue to carry out statutory health and safety inspections across Birmingham’s parks and green spaces while delivering a targeted programme of community engagement and nature-based activities.

Today, much of the Ranger Service’s community work is focused on areas where it can have the greatest impact on reducing environmental inequalities, supporting the ambitions of Birmingham’s 25-Year City of Nature Plan, approved by Cabinet in February 2022. This includes work across 46 parks and green spaces within the wards of Bordesley & Highgate, Balsall Heath West, Nechells, Gravelly Hill, Pype Hayes and Castle Vale.

A significant proportion of this work is delivered through Wild at Heart, a programme funded by Birmingham City Council Public Health. The programme is delivered through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Public Health and the Ranger Service and has clear outcomes focused on improving health and wellbeing through nature. Activities include opportunities that encourage physical activity, improve mental wellbeing, reduce social isolation and help people build lasting connections with their local green spaces.

The current focus on targeted delivery means that the Ranger Service is no longer able to provide the same level of direct support to every Friends group and community organisation across the city as it has in the past. While Rangers continue to offer advice and guidance wherever possible, the reduced workforce means resources are concentrated where they can deliver the greatest benefit and help address long-standing environmental and health inequalities.

This does not mean the wider city is left behind. The Ranger Service continues to work alongside the City of Nature Alliance and many other partners to share knowledge, coordinate activity and encourage volunteering, participation and care for Birmingham’s green spaces. Local Friends groups remain an essential part of caring for parks across the city, supported by the wider Parks and Green Spaces service wherever possible.

Why Rangers matter

Park Rangers provide something that cannot easily be replaced. They combine practical land management with trusted community relationships, local knowledge and expertise in nature engagement. By working alongside residents, volunteers, schools, community organisations and health partners, Rangers help people build confidence to use and care for their local green spaces. This preventative, community-based approach supports healthier lifestyles, stronger communities and more resilient parks while helping maximise the value of Birmingham’s investment in its natural environment.

The Ranger Service is based at three countryside sites where visitors can enjoy Birmingham’s natural landscapes, learn more about local wildlife and speak to Rangers for advice about parks and green spaces:

Together, these sites continue to provide opportunities for people of all ages to experience nature, improve their health and wellbeing, and become active stewards of Birmingham’s green spaces.

Connecting with Nature

There are also lots of ways you can enjoy connecting to nature and enjoying Birmingham’s parks and open spaces, here are a few ideas.

Making Mud Animals

In our first video Holly who was based at the Lickey Hills shows you how to make mud animals.

Meeting An Oak Tree

In our second video Ranger Service Manager Steve who is based at the Lickey Hills shows you how to make the most of meeting a tree.

Bug Hunting

In our third video which is from Ex-Ranger Debbie who works from home as Community Facilitator for the FPA project and loves her garden. She shows you how to make the most of a sunny spring day bug hunting in your garden or local park

Nest Box Making

In our fourth video which is from Ex-Ranger Simon who now works as an ecologist for Birmingham City Council. He shows you how to make a selection of nest boxes for your garden and think about what birds you may see or hear in your local park. For more information about making nest boxes and where to put them visit: https://www.nestboxweek.com/