Flow state

Along banks of the River Ching, dedicated residents volunteer their time to help the local ecosystem. And now work is being supported by the council’s pioneering Wildways initiative, which is providing up to £350,000 of grant funding to help their fantastic efforts. 

Over the next two years, the Wildways: Along the Ching, will support and empower local groups to enhance habitats, boost flood resilience and improve the biodiversity of the river, which winds for 10km through the borough. 

Janet and Natasha are part of the Ching Action Group, which works to regularly monitor water quality and survey wildlife in the area. Janet explains how partnering with Wildways will help achieve even more: 

The Ching is what is known as a ‘flashy river, which means that which means that the level of the water rises quickly in periods of heavy rainfall. 

One of the important things about Wildways is that it is funding depaving in the local area. This will mean that run-off from paved surfaces, roads, and people’s gardens will be far more likely to be able to retain water in the future. This reduce risk of flooding in this area, which is good for local nature and positive local communities. 

Hopefully our work with the council and the Wildways project will lead to a real improvement along the Ching. 

Another member of the Ching Action Group is Natasha, who first became involved with volunteering as part of her studies. She explains about their regular work: 

We survey a wide range of species including insects and invertebrates, and also birds too. 

Part of this includes conducts bio-acoustic bird monitoring, which helps us build a really detailed picture of the birdlife we have had since last spring. 

I think last year, we recorded more than 50 species in the area, including kingfishers and little egrets. We want to use this work to improve the habitat even further. 

As part of Wildways, we are also working with the council on improving the habitat and biodiversity at a nearby site, Wadham Meadow.

Waltham Forest Wildways has already seen £75,000 of investment to support biodiversity and improve green spaces in the borough such as Queens Road Cemetery and St James Park and Cheshire Fields Allotments. 

Projects are planned to support people from all backgrounds connect with the nature on their doorstep, as well as measures to boost flood resilience - all with plenty of opportunities for local people to get involved. 

Cllr Clyde Loakes MBE, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate and Air Quality said: 

I’d like to say a huge thank you to Janet, Natasha and everyone involved with the fantastic Ching Action Group. It’s a brilliant example of the partnership between residents and volunteers, and the council, supported all the way by out Together we are Waltham Forest campaign.

Our ambitious Waltham Forest Wildways Project is now supporting the current monitoring and improvements happening along the Ching and helping these hard-working groups  make even more of a difference.

It’s a really special part of our borough’s natural environment, and we’re committed to protecting and enhancing the green and blue spaces in and around it – as well as boosting the borough’s resilience to extreme rainfall.  

Upcoming work is focusing along Wadham Meadow and woodland, the banks of the Ching, and greening and depaving on the Aldriche Way Estate. We are also creating stepping stones of ecological connectivity between these two spaces at number of smaller areas between Walthamstow Marshes and Epping Forest.

Wildways is supported by the Mayor of London’s Green Roots Fund. The initiative has already helped deliver a range of successful, community-led initiatives focused on supporting nature. 

As part of our pioneering Wildways initiative, we are hosting a fantastic spring-clean event on Saturday 21 March along the River Ching at Wadham Meadow (north of Wadham Avenue E17 4HS) from 10am to 12noon. Wear sturdy boots or shoes and please do register your interest ahead of the event

Find out about how the council is Helping Nature Thrive

Feeling inspired to help your local community boost its reliance against flash flooding? Why not apply for a FREE water butt installation in your front or back garden, courtesy of our latest Lower Floods campaign

The Waltham Forest Wildways Project is in partnership with:

• Aldriche Way Estate TRA (tenants and residents association)
• Artillery
• Ching Action Group
• East London Waterworks Park
• Highams Park Snedders
• Organic Lea
• The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) and the Hive