Wildlife such as Squirrel are being targeted as part of Hackney's Local Nature Recovery Plan
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Volunteers planted trees, piled logs and set natural barriers this weekend after a year-long project to create wildlife habitats in the capital.
London Fields is one of Hackney’s Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) as part of the boroughs Local Nature Recovery Plan, a seven-year strategy to increase biodiversity.
Hackney’s rewilding plan distinguishes a number of ‘flagship’ species for conservation, such as dragonflies, common toads and pipistrelle bats, whose presence acts as an indicator of nature recovery.
The new habitats on London Fields support a range of invertebrate species. Credit: William Goodrich.
Ian Philips, who has worked on nature recovery programs in London for over a decade, said: “We’ve lost so many species in the UK over the years and wildlife needs all the help it can get.
“A standalone project is still a good project. But, if it’s totally isolated and it’s not part of a larger green corridor it’s not as beneficial.”
One aim of the project is to educate young people in the area about wildlife. Credit: William Goodrich.
Mr Philips and the volunteers from the London Fields Habitat Project created ponds in the park with the hope of establishing wildlife corridors for ‘flagship’ species to move between.
The completion of the project in London Fields comes just a week after the Mayor of London’s announcement of 21 new rewilding projects across the capital.
The new projects will share £1 million of funding between them and rely on volunteer involvement throughout.
Volunteers have helped with tree planting and site development since the project’s inception. Credit: William Goodrich.
Volunteers seek financial incentives
Katie Lindberg, one of the volunteers helping out in London Fields, said: “I’ve grown up in East London, which is very concrete, very grey. So trying to restore some greenery was really positive.”
She provides biodiversity assessments for construction projects and feels there are financial barriers to environmental initiatives.
She said: “It’s often based on the work of volunteers […] more of these jobs should be funded, permanent roles that should pay enough to live in London as well.
“I think that’s the reason that puts people off from working in the environmental field. It’s because of the really low pay and often you are one of very few people trying to make these projects work.”
Hackney’s Local Nature Recovery Plan is set to run until 2030. The work across will continue in green areas across the borough. The works including Hackney Marshes, the River Lea and Millfield.
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HeadlineLondon Fields biodiversity plan completes in time for Spring
Short HeadlineLondon Fields biodiversity plan comes up flowers
StandfirstProject leaders say wildlife in London 'needs all the help it can get'.
Volunteers planted trees, piled logs and set natural barriers this weekend after a year-long project to create wildlife habitats in the capital.
London Fields is one of Hackney’s Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) as part of the boroughs Local Nature Recovery Plan, a seven-year strategy to increase biodiversity.
Hackney’s rewilding plan distinguishes a number of ‘flagship’ species for conservation, such as dragonflies, common toads and pipistrelle bats, whose presence acts as an indicator of nature recovery.
The new habitats on London Fields support a range of invertebrate species. Credit: William Goodrich.
Ian Philips, who has worked on nature recovery programs in London for over a decade, said: “We’ve lost so many species in the UK over the years and wildlife needs all the help it can get.
“A standalone project is still a good project. But, if it’s totally isolated and it’s not part of a larger green corridor it’s not as beneficial.”
One aim of the project is to educate young people in the area about wildlife. Credit: William Goodrich.
Mr Philips and the volunteers from the London Fields Habitat Project created ponds in the park with the hope of establishing wildlife corridors for ‘flagship’ species to move between.
The completion of the project in London Fields comes just a week after the Mayor of London’s announcement of 21 new rewilding projects across the capital.
The new projects will share £1 million of funding between them and rely on volunteer involvement throughout.
Volunteers have helped with tree planting and site development since the project’s inception. Credit: William Goodrich.
Volunteers seek financial incentives
Katie Lindberg, one of the volunteers helping out in London Fields, said: “I’ve grown up in East London, which is very concrete, very grey. So trying to restore some greenery was really positive.”
She provides biodiversity assessments for construction projects and feels there are financial barriers to environmental initiatives.
She said: “It’s often based on the work of volunteers […] more of these jobs should be funded, permanent roles that should pay enough to live in London as well.
“I think that’s the reason that puts people off from working in the environmental field. It’s because of the really low pay and often you are one of very few people trying to make these projects work.”
Hackney’s Local Nature Recovery Plan is set to run until 2030. The work across will continue in green areas across the borough. The works including Hackney Marshes, the River Lea and Millfield.
