Twitter LinkedIn

Unifying people and communities through nature

If we can inspire communities to take action for nature, we can give people a reason to feel inspired and give wildlife a desperately needed helping hand in some of the most deprived places.


June 2016

It was a cold winter’s night in 2013, and for the third time that month the Metropolitan Police had moved drug dealers and rough sleepers off a three acre piece of waste ground in Norwood Green, West London. It was just days later when A Rocha UK was approached with one simple question; 'do you think you can bring hope to this piece of waste-ground?' The question came from a senior police officer and it was the start of a process which culminated in a lease of the land from London Borough of Ealing to create an amazing urban wildlife haven.

In late 2014 we cleared 54 tonnes of waste; including asbestos, oil drums and drug equipment. Two years on and over 2,000 children and 800 local community members have visited. There are bee hives, a sensory garden (designed by local kids), a local fruit orchard, a bird hide and feeders, nest boxes with a camera connected to a nearby school and and a community food growing area. More remarkable still - one local dealer came in with his minders to offer to help clear the site! Suddenly it has gone from decaying and fear filled to full of life; teeming with new wildlife sightings and appreciated by a diverse ethnic population who previously had limited access to nature. Why is this relevant to the 25 year plan for the Environment? What possible significance can a three acre urban site make in the scheme of things? How does it fit in to the unsettling nature of politics this summer?

The answer is one word: hope. Today Wolf Fields is visited by many people from the local, economically disadvantaged community including those from broken homes, refugees from the Middle East, the socially isolated, and children with a parent in prison. And each individual, when they have a spade in their hand and the sun on their back, forgets for a moment about our divided society, troubled environment and any hurts at home. More than that, they get to see a glimpse of what urban green space can be at its best - full of friendly people and full of wildlife.

The outcome of the EU Referendum means there is less clarity about what will happen to the 25 year plan; to important legislation on the environment, to our ability to enjoy nature and open spaces. But this small but significant project reminds me that we can and must have hope and be in a position where we can empower people. By enabling communities to take action for nature, we can give people a reason to feel inspired and give wildlife a desperately needed helping hand in some of the most deprived places.


Andy Lester

Conservation Director, A Rocha UK

Find A Rocha Uk on Twitter @ARochaUK

The opinions expressed in this blog are the author’s and not necessarily those of the wider Link membership.