Some of 25% of mammals, 41% of amphibians and 13% of birds are under threat.
So it is a pleasure to report some positive news. Over the past year, some areas of Wanstead have been allowed to go wild, rather than being cut. Among the areas selected, were part of George Green, the periphery of Christchurch Green and parts of Nutter Lane and St Marys Avenue.
Now, some early analysis of George Green has found a blossoming of different plant life that is also attracting insects, butterflies and other wildlife.
There have been 80 species of flora found - the vast majority of which are native plants. There were many examples of tall native British wildflowers that would otherwise have been unable grow and flower, including common mallow, goats beard, jack-go-to-bed at noon, lemon balm, and common ragwort (which will provide food for the caterpillars of the cinnabar moth).
Among the insects found in the long grass were the Essex Skipper butterfly.
These are early days but the first results are encouraging. There are plans to extend the wild areas across Wanstead, so that our effort to increase biodiversity can continue to grow and prosper.
There have been some issues with the wild areas, such as a lack of communication as to what is going on. Some have suggested it is the council not bothering to cut the grass. This is not the case, the areas are quite deliberately being left and cultivated for wild life. There will be signage coming soon to make it clear as to what is going on.
What does not help ofcourse is people dumping litter on the wild areas (or any other part of the town for that matter), with removal being that much more difficult in the long grass.
Beyond Wanstead, there are plans to extend wild areas further across Redbridge.
Another element of our efforts to extend biodiversity has been the planting of wildflowers around tree pits. These efforts, championed by Wild Wanstead, have led to some stunning displays of colour down a number of roads. However, we need to go further, moving toward all of our tree pits being planted out, providing havens for bees and other wildlife.
Again it is about community, coming out of those front doors and joining with neighbours and friends to create the sort of environmental and sustainable society we all want to see.
Other elements of the biodiversity work that require more work involves the planting of trees and the recovery of gardens from concrete.
The council has committed to replace the street trees that have had to be removed due to disease but we need to go much further. More street trees would be welcome but also there needs to be a mass tree planting programme across Redbridge. More trees means less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, a real move toward countering climate change.
The concrete issue largely relates to the private domain of individual’s dwellings. The impact though of these actions will effect everyone else. The covering of the surface reduces the area for water to run away, putting increased pressure on the sewer system. The Environment Agency has warned of the effects that concreting over has on a mass scale to flood risk.
Beside the self-preservation argument, what about the actual look of the thing – flowers and shrubs surely appeal. If people still insist on the need for the driveway then why not at least make part of the space available to plants. There are now also the membranes that can be used.
So there are some great strides being made in our area on biodiversity but much more can be done. There is certainly the will to make Wanstead a cleaner and greener place, the challenge now is to continue finding the ways.
published Wanstead and Woodford Guardian - 25/7/2019 - paper
27/7/2019 - online
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