We have worked closely with the Council and parks team, the Tree Musketeers, and other environmental organisations to create habitat and increase the variety of trees, plants and animals in our parks.

The mini-woodlands on the north side of the cycle track in North Millfields were planted by the TMs and MUG in the winter of 2023/4. They are a fantastic way to increase biodiversity in a small space. They occupy the same canopy spread as a single large mature tree while containing dozens of species of trees, shrubs and plants. Trees planted in this way grow more competitively than single trees as they strive for light. The increased amount of biomass within the woodland absorbs greater amounts of carbon dioxide, as well as other pollutants.

Over the winter of 2024/5 we planted a woodland strip along the north side of the cricket field just south of the Lea Bridge Road. With over 1500 whips (small trees) planted this will create a green barrier to the sight and sound of the traffic. And like the mini-woodlands, the small trees will compete for light as they grow making them grow faster and take up greater amounts of pollution including carbon dioxide.

Other biodiversity initiatives include the log mounds created by Ecoactive, the flower meadows coordinated by the Butterfly Conservation Trust, bee banks and the pond behind the sub-station organised by ReNature…. combined with the wildlife friendly management of the park these have created a rich mosaic of habitat.

The result provides a truly biodiverse landscape. Hedgehogs and small mammals find shelter in the micro woodlands and log mounds. Saproxylic invertebrates and fungi colonise the decaying wood relying on a variety of species in different stages of decomposition. Bees, butterflies, hoverflies, wasps and beetles all find a variety of forage and shelter in the flower meadows. Worms, bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi thrive in the less disturbed soils. We welcome this rich tapestry of biodiversity in our park.