Natural England

More than 400 residents turned out to plant a tree and get gardening tips at the Stratford and West Ham Plant for Life event on Saturday, February 16.

The free, fun event – the fifth in a series of community forum planting days – was held from 11am to 4pm at City of London Corporation West Ham Park in Portway.

As well as planting 470 trees, participants also built 60 nest boxes, made 93 bird feeders, sowed thousands of wildflower seeds, found out how to take part in the park life photography competition and gathered information about local environmental groups.

Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales said: “We are very pleased to be working in partnership with the City of London, Natural England and so many local people. These events not only help to improve the natural environment, they also enhance communities and increase awareness of the many opportunities for education, training and employment.”

Workshops on wildlife gardening and how to be more environmentally aware were hosted in English, Polish, Portuguese, Lithuanian and Somali.

Resident Rafal Iwanczyk and her son Bruno, 5, were among the 50 people that took part in a language workshop. She said: “They were so interesting and we realised that some of the insects and creatures that we think of as pests are actually good for the garden. Our English is fine, but we know people who would really benefit from the English courses that were being promoted today, so we'll definitely be spreading the word.”

The event was held in partnership with City of London Corporation, who owns and manages West Ham Park, the BBC and Natural England, which works to conserve and enhance the natural environment for the benefit of people and wildlife.

Natural England’s London Regional Director, Alison Barnes said: “These workshops have been a great way of increasing diversity in conservation and making more people aware that gardens and urban greenspace are not only havens for wildlife, but important for our health and wellbeing too.”

The community forum Plant for Life events are part of the council’s LIVE LIFE campaign and the year of action for BBC Breathing Places, which encourages everyone to do one thing for nature.

Newham has pledged to plant 2,012 new trees in the borough each year, including Birch, Hawthorn, Hazel, Alder, Ash and other native species.

For the Plant for Life event listings call freephone 0800 519 4015, email: community.forums@newham.gov.uk or visit www.newham.gov.uk/communityforums

Find out more about BBC Breathing Places at www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces

For more information call Jo Mackie, Community Forums Communication Manager, on 020 8430 2835 or email jo.mackie@newham.gov.uk

Notes to Editors:

West Ham Park recently received a grant for £17,000 from Natural England to encourage biodiversity in the Park.

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. It conserves and enhances the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people and the economic prosperity it brings. To find out more visit www.naturalengland.org.uk

Natural England’s ‘Outdoors for All’ Action Plan is being launched on 3 March at Shorne Wood Country Park. The objective of the plan is to increase the number of people from under-represented groups who take part in outdoor recreation, and increase their knowledge of where they can go and what they can do when they get there. Please contact Natural England’s press office for info on this. The National Press Office can be contacted on 0845 603 9953, press@naturalengland.org.uk, out of hours 07970 098005.