Residents in Walthamstow are being asked to take part in a survey as researchers aim to understand how nature can thrive in the area.

Researchers Queen Mary University of London's Blue Green E17 project are looking into how the area can benefit from ‘rewilding’ - a nature-led approach to conservation that returns land to its wild state, including by reintroducing native animal species.

This new project will see Queen Mary’s environmental scientists and urban geographers working with communities and organisations in Walthamstow to build a map of blue (bodies of water) and green (plants and trees).

Residents can join the research team’s photo mapping survey by submitting pictures of natural spots they feel connected to, and sharing their ideas for a wilder Walthamstow – which researchers hope will influence local environmental policy.

Dr Gemma Harvey, who is leading on the project and lives locally, said: "One of the great things about Walthamstow, I often tell people from other parts of London, is its green spaces. The Wetlands, the River Lea, the Marshes, the parks and Epping Forest are all on the doorstep. It might be hard to imagine how the area could get any greener – but I, and others like me, have a plan to do just that.

"From the smallest green spaces to large parks and water courses, we need local residents’ input to create a wilder, greener Walthamstow that benefits both its people and its wildlife. Through our new research, we can better understand connections with and between our existing green and blue spaces, to help create a vision for how they might be enhanced in the future."

All E17 residents aged 18 and over can take part in the research, although family submissions on behalf of children are encouraged.

The survey is open for public responses until Friday July 15 at bit.ly/PhotoMappingBlueGreenE17.