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Wetland to Wetland, Lea Valley

3/27/2015

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‘Wetland to Wetland’ has been successful in a competition for £120,000 funding from the Mayor’s Big Green Fund to provide a new 3km walking and cycling route connecting Woodberry Wetlands in Hackney with Walthamstow Wetlands in Waltham Forest. This will see more green space, new trees planted and improvements to make the streets safer. The greenway will also join up with several other quiet ways, including into central London and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The award was made on the basis of popular vote as featured on our blog - so thanks to all Hydro bloggers who supported by voting!

The Hydrocitizenship Lea Valley team spent an afternoon yesterday with the London Wildlife Trust in Walthamstow Wetlands and Woodberry Down Nature Reserve discussing the development of these reservoirs for community access, environmental education and recreation. Both sites are in receipt of Heritage Lottery funding for environmental improvements, visitor facilities and interpretation of these habitats. The reservoirs are fed by the River Lea and New River, still providing fresh drinking water for Londoners. Current works include the creation of reed beds, boardwalks, renovation of heritage water buildings such as the Gas Works - all towards the opening up of these water facilities to the public after two hundred years. The Woodberry Down wetlands will reopen in September 2015 whilst the larger Walthamstow Wetlands will open in 2 years time – this is an important habitat for many birds including reed bunting, song thrush, kingfisher and the occasional bittern; and also provides valuable foraging and roosting habitat for bats. The site provides important winter shelter for wildfowl and is a key ‘stepping stone’ for large numbers of migratory birds as they move to and from the Lee Valley Special Protection Area.  


















Cllr Phillip Glanville, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Housing said: “The opening up of the East Reservoir (Woodberry Downs) will reveal and celebrate this hidden gem for local residents and beyond. It’s one of the many ways we are working with partners to transform the Woodberry Down area. As well as improving local facilities we are providing thousands of new homes for social renting, shared ownership and private sale. At Woodberry Wetlands visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy and learn about the natural world in a beautiful setting that also remains part of busy, urban inner London.”

Helen Newman, Head of Corporate Social Responsibly for Thames Water said: “We are proud to be working with the London Wildlife Trust to open our reservoir in Stoke Newington to the public.  Our partnership will protect and enhance the habitat for the unique wildlife at the site, and by engaging with the local community, help them to understand the importance of water in the environment and why we all need to use water wisely.”

The Trust is appointing Community Engagement officers with whom the Lea Valley team will be working on a range of participatory activities and consultation on Hydrocitizenship issues.

http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/woodberry-wetlands

https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/Pages/ServiceChild/walthamstow-wetlands.aspx

Graeme Evans

To read more by Graeme visit his page on hydrocitizens.com


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World Water Day in Lee Valley- Cycle the Historic South of the Park and Beyond

3/23/2015

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Lee Valley Hydrocitizenship team joined the cycle ride event that LVRPA organised on the Wold Water Day, 22nd of March.  The circular 25 mile guided cycle ride in the south of the park and beyond started at WaterWorks and a lunch break lunch break is given at the Thames Barrier Park.  15 cyclists joined the ride from all levels, some of them being members of Edmonton Cycle Club, some never cycled in the area before or some very regular cyclists.
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There's miles of traffic-free cycling routes across Lee Valley Regional Park covering 10,000 acres in London, Essex and Hertfordshire and cycling is one of the most popular ways of transport as well a s a leisure activity in the area. Engaging with the cyclists through this event was a great opportunity for the Lee Valley Hydrocitizenship team. 

At the start of the ride, I introduced the project to the cyclists and asked them to pay more attention to water during their ride on the day. I later meet them at the lunch break at the Thames Barrier Park and asked them to fill in a short survey about their reflections of this cycle ride (significant part of the cycle route was either by the canal or River Lee) and the importance of water to them as an urban amenity. On a small note, I must say reaching the Thames Barrier Park via public transport was more complicated then cycling (I should have also cycled :)). 
Everyone was very engaging and friendly during the lunch break and filling up the surveys. We definitely plan to follow up on the cycling activities in the Lee Valley in the future since it is an important user group. 

You can find the report on the findings from the day at the Documents section (Cycling the Lower Lee Valley Report)

Ozlem

To read more by Ozlem visit her page on Hydrocitizens.
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