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CLEVER Cities London Makes Space for Nature - Again!

6 February 2023

CLEVER Cities London Makes Space for Nature - Again!

6 February 2023

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In Nov. 2022, Recipients of the Making Space for Nature Community Fund gathered together to celebrate the closing of 2022 and the start of the new year with lots of inspiration by learning about each other's projects, their motivations and desired impact. The event was organised by CLEVER London partners Peabody and Groundwork.

Ozge Aden, who is a local resident and was a successful recipient of MSFN funding led the event. She showcased other fund recipients how her workshops combine education on eating healthily with growing with growing food from seeds and cooking from scratch. Like Ozge, all the MSFN recipients aim to support health & wellbeing in Thamesmead by increasing awareness about nature, and spending time outdoors with other residents and the wider community. 

Jack Gower, Landscape Activation Manager for Thamesmead at Peabody, said:

“The Making Space for Nature Community Fund has been an important initiative for local residents who are keen to improve outdoor and green spaces in Thamesmead. It’s also open to those who want to organise educational activities, walks or sessions to connect people with nature. So far 32 projects have been supported with each positively impacting the community in its own unique way. It was great to see so many of the recipients come together and speak to each other about their work.”

Harjinder Nijjar, Community Programme Manager at Groundwork London, said: 

“It’s important that we celebrate the individual projects that were supported by the Making Space for Nature Fund but we also feel we have an obligation to make sure that the recipients are aware of each other.

“There was a great energy from attendees and an understanding of the importance of striving to work together. It was great to see that people had shared passions, particularly around climate change, preserving green spaces and nature.”

Find out more about our Making Space for Nature programme here.

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Nov. wasn't however the end of London's work greening its communities in 2022. In Dec., Thamesmead biodiversity volunteers planted an additional 200 trees at the Tiny Forest at Southmere Park. The Tiny Forest project was kicked off last year in February thanks to a partnership between Peabody, environmental charity Earthwatch Europe – who are pioneering Tiny Forest in the UK – the Greater London Authority, CLEVER Cities and BlackRock.

There is a growing evidence base on the benefits of trees for improved mental and physical health. All those attending the planting event had the chance to get their hands dirty and have fun, with all 200 trees going into the ground on the day. A team of local Tiny Forest Tree Keeper volunteers are trained to act as the forest ambassadors, and support with maintenance of the site. 

From January 2023 until 28 April 2023, the volunteering team will help boost wildlife in Thamesmead.

For more information on the volunteering sessions and the planting schedule, please check out the link here: Join our volunteering team and help boost wildlife in Thamesmead.

 

Groundwork London