Helping nature

Waltham Forest Council has joined several local authorities across the UK in declaring a nature emergency and revealing emerging plans for how it will intervene to support and boost local biodiversity in partnership with residents and local stakeholders.

Waltham Forest residents benefit enormously from access to natural environments like Epping Forest, the Walthamstow Wetlands, and the Lea Valley right on their doorstep. A healthy, thriving eco-system reduces the impact of extreme weather events and supports our wider health and well-being. However, biodiversity is declining across the world, and England is now recognised as one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.

Cllr Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Air Quality and Climate, said: “Waltham Forest already has a strong track record of implementing policies that protect nature, improve air quality, and reduce the risk from extreme weather events. We were one of the first UK councils to declare a climate emergency, and our Climate Action Plan has a clear focus on creating a greener, more resilient borough." 

“We have created 45 new pocket parks and parklets over the last decade, built rain gardens to replace car parking spaces, and turned redundant land into food-growing sites. We also provide an inspiring setting alongside the tools needed to teach future generations about the importance of our natural world at cutting-edge environmental education centre The Hive."

“But we must do much, much more. We all need to turn our attention to our flora and fauna and do more to protect our local wildlife and the habitats that support them. We want to inspire residents to think about things they can do in their neighbourhoods and gardens to support local nature, where even a small intervention like mowing the lawn less often, establishing a Bee Friendly Street on your doorstep, or joining a local litter picking group will go a long way to help. I know that together we can achieve an outcome in every neighbourhood in Waltham Forest that helps nature in all its wonderful shapes, sizes, and glory to thrive in our borough.”

The declaration includes several focus areas where the council can continue to use its resources and leadership to make a real difference. A key theme is to promote and raise awareness of initiatives that we can all get behind and involve ourselves in by sharing simple tips and ideas for residents, whatever their circumstances, to make small changes to support better outcomes for nature in their neighbourhoods. The council will also task our Waltham Forest Climate Residents Panel to help co-create, prioritise, and shape local initiatives.

Another key element of the work will see the council create a Local Nature Recovery Plan, which responds to the Mayor’s London-wide strategy. This will support nature recovery locally, by identifying priorities for nature through development and land management for future generations. 

Nature recovery will be embedded as a strategic priority when considering new developments in Waltham Forest. Planning briefs and documents will guide how wildlife corridors can be protected and how natural wildlife water sources and habitats can be improved.

Cllr Loakes added: “I know how much residents value the nature we are so privileged to have on our doorstep, but we must do all we can to preserve, enhance and where we can help to rebuild it for future generations. It’s not just something that’s nice to have, it’s an essential. We all need to do far more to help and support its survival and its recovery.”   

Peter Lewis, Chief Executive of the Epping Forest Heritage Trust, said: “It is great to see that Waltham Forest Council have declared a Nature Emergency and are committed to doing more to drive nature recovery across the borough.”

Read the full nature emergency declaration

Local species to look out for... 

• Local species to keep an eye out for include hoverflies, native amphibians like frogs, toads or newts, hedgehogs, and stag beetles. Let us know how many you’ve spotted!