Corporate Environmental Stewardship

A group of environmental volunteers in hi viz vests smiling and waving at the camera

Cummins Turbo Technology Staff on a path improvements work party in Huddersfield Riverside Nature park.

Environmental stewardship

Everyone who lives, works, travels or does business in Kirklees affects our natural environment. We all have a role to play in responding to the challenges of the ecological and climate crisis. And we all have a stake in what lies ahead for us and the many species we share West Yorkshire with.         

Businesses operating in our area have the potential to make a huge difference to the little part of West Yorkshire that we all share. At EPIKS we work with local businesses to foster a shared sense of environmental stewardship.  

Your team

Businesses who actively engage in helping us with practical solutions to environmental problems see great benefits for their staff and their business as a whole.  

Here’s how engaging with EPIKS can help with five ways to staff wellbeing :

  • Give: opportunities for staff to volunteer and contribute is good for their well-being. 
  • Be Active – Active Travel: promoting walking and cycling improves health and well-being.
  • Learn: experience and involvement in stewardship activities increases knowledge.  
  • Notice: taking time out in nature and the local environment adds to well-being and productivity. 
  • Connect: Stewardship activities build stronger teams and wider community relationships. 

Your business

Businesses tell us that they love getting outdoors with their teams. Some businesses regularly include walking in areas of natural beauty that EPIKS manage as part of their meetings, or during lunch breaks.

When your team feel connected to the local area and feel they have an opportunity to make a difference through activities supported by their employer, that impacts staff retention and helps you attract the best people. 

Businesses also benefit from working collaboratively, sharing knowledge and understanding across sectors and fostering new economic opportunities and relationships.

And of course, it’s great for your profile in the local community if people can see your company making a long term commitment to protecting and enhancing our natural environment.  

Get your business involved

  • Adopt a local green space : Maintain your patch of riverside through regular clean ups with us. Join our regular Wednesday morning volunteers or for information about a dedicated volunteer session for your staff team see our corporate volunteering flier here
  • Employee volunteering: Allow staff to join clean up days or environmental projects during work hours. 
  • Active Travel : Talk to us about ways to promote more active travel among your workforce. As well as providing opportunities for staff to try out e-bikes through our e-bike projects, we can also share information with you about funding programs that help towards the cost of workplace measures to support active travel, like bike shelters and e-bike charging stations.  
  • Support Green Routes : Sponsor the maintenance of local green spaces and active travel routes.
  •  Wildlife friendly premises : Talk to us about simple steps you can take to make your business premises more wildlife friendly. 

For more information view our environmental stewardship flier here

Volunteers from Dalkia ready for work on Kilner Bank, Huddersfield Riverside Nature Park.

Volunteers from Schofield Sweeney solicitors take a breather at Colne Bridge.

Cummins Turbo Technologies volunteers opening up a viewpoint on Snow Island, in Huddersfield Riverside Nature Park  

Partnership examples

In Huddersfield, volunteers and staff from John Smith’s Stadium and Cummins Turbo Technologies are working with us to develop the natural green spaces along the river from the Stadium to Lockwood. Their dedication has enabled the foundations of the Huddersfield Riverside Nature Park.

At Colne Rd, companies have enjoyed away-days restoring footpaths at a stunning Yorkshire Water site.

Lesjofors Springs have planted trees and wildflower meadows on their premises at Lindley Moor to boost wildlife on their site.

Schofield Sweeney Solicitors created wheelchair friendly access to a riverside haven at King’s Bridge in Huddersfield.

Aldi in Milnsbridge are long term supporters of the Riverside Way path and heritage site that benefits from regular maintenance and attention and helps to protect river wildlife.

Thornton and Ross helped maintain an historic, wildlife-rich dam bordering the River Colne and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal near Titanic Spa at Linthwaite. This partnership led to the installation of information boards at the dam.

View PDF report on this project, supported by the Landfill Communities Fund >>