Nature

The Dawoodi Bohra community brought nearly 20 children into Hainault Forest to learn about pollinators and celebrate one of conservation's most significant dates

Chigwell children spend day in Hainault Forest learning about bees

Pupils at Oakhill Primary welcomed parents to join in art classes (Image: Oakhill)

Pupils at Oakhill Primary welcomed parents to join in art classes (Image: Oakhill)

Spotlight on Schools

Oakhill Primary School

Art comes alive as pupils and families get creative in school and forest

Caroline Haines joined a team from Historic England exploring the history of Ambresbury Banks (Image: City of London Corporation)

Caroline Haines joined a team from Historic England exploring the history of Ambresbury Banks (Image: City of London Corporation)

Spring projects showcase heritage and conservation work across Epping Forest

Buxton School's Secret Garden is a thriving outdoor classroom (Image: Buxton School)

Buxton School's Secret Garden is a thriving outdoor classroom (Image: Buxton School)

Spotlight on Schools

Buxton School, Leytonstone

The Leytonstone school with a secret garden at its heart

Football-loving Lacoste was kept in a fish-tank before she was rescued by GTKA (Image: GTKA)

Football-loving Lacoste was kept in a fish-tank before she was rescued by GTKA (Image: GTKA)

Get To Know Animals (GTKA)

From rescue to breaking records - help Lacoste take her next step

Epping Forest Beaver volunteers build leaky dams on The Ching (Image: Alison O’Connor/City of London Corporation)

Epping Forest Beaver volunteers build leaky dams on The Ching (Image: Alison O’Connor/City of London Corporation)

How Epping Forest’s winter floods are helping protect it for the summer ahead

Grow Zones have been created in some areas of Redbridge (Image: Paul Donovan)

Grow Zones have been created in some areas of Redbridge (Image: Paul Donovan)

Declaring a nature emergency is only the first step for Redbridge Council

Brick Lane by Leigh Kogan (Image: Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society)

Brick Lane by Leigh Kogan (Image: Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society)

Clubs and societies

A look through the lens with the Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society

Lacoste the alligator is hoping for a new enclosure this year (Image: GTKA)

Lacoste the alligator is hoping for a new enclosure this year (Image: GTKA)

Get To Know Animals (GTKA)

Inside animal sanctuary's year of growth, conservation and community impact

Birds on a frozen lake in Epping Forest (Image: PA)

Birds on a frozen lake in Epping Forest (Image: PA)

Enjoy Epping Forest safely this winter and discover its beauty

Long-serving volunteer at The Gibberd Garden Inger Collins celebrated her 100th birthday last month (Image: Gibberd Garden)

Long-serving volunteer at The Gibberd Garden Inger Collins celebrated her 100th birthday last month (Image: Gibberd Garden)

The Gibberd Garden

Stalwart garden volunteer celebrates her 100th birthday

West Essex Ramblers take us on a guided walk along the River Lea Navigation (Image: Dave Evans)

West Essex Ramblers take us on a guided walk along the River Lea Navigation (Image: Dave Evans)

From gravel pits to wildlife haven: explore Fishers Green’s stunning transformation

MP Alex Burghart joined campaigners opposed to the Family Farm Tax (Image: Office of Alex Burghart)

MP Alex Burghart joined campaigners opposed to the Family Farm Tax (Image: Office of Alex Burghart)

Alex Burghart MP (Epping and Ongar)

'Labour’s family farm tax is an attack on rural Epping and Ongar'

Sirius can be seen during Christmas week (Image: NAES)

Sirius can be seen during Christmas week (Image: NAES)

What to look for in the night skies this December

Have you seen this? by John Cross

Have you seen this? by John Cross

Clubs and societies

Judge's favourite Walthamstow and District Photographic Society's photographs

Caroline Haines is joined by Lizzie and Peter Barklem, chair of Visit England, Lady Victoria Borwick, Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP, and Epping Forest District Council chair, Louise Mead to launch the Brambly Hedge trail

Caroline Haines is joined by Lizzie and Peter Barklem, chair of Visit England, Lady Victoria Borwick, Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP, and Epping Forest District Council chair, Louise Mead to launch the Brambly Hedge trail

Brambly Hedge characters star on the launch of their trail at Epping Forest

In Redbridge, 10,000 sq m of land has been given over to Grow Zones (Image: Wild Wanstead)

In Redbridge, 10,000 sq m of land has been given over to Grow Zones (Image: Wild Wanstead)

Cllr Paul Donovan

Together, we can address the biodiversity crisis

Santa Claws is returning to Get to Know Animals this festive season with his grotto

Santa Claws is returning to Get to Know Animals this festive season with his grotto

Animal sanctuary will have more treats than tricks

A baby reaches out to stroke a hamster (Image: GTKA)

A baby reaches out to stroke a hamster (Image: GTKA)

Get To Know Animals (GTKA)

The Epping animal sanctuary that heals more than just its residents

Nicola Burrell’s ‘New Town III’ has found a new home in Gibberd Garden (Image: Gibberd Garden)

Nicola Burrell’s ‘New Town III’ has found a new home in Gibberd Garden (Image: Gibberd Garden)

The Gibberd Garden

New home for 'New Town III' statue at the Gibberd Garden in Harlow

The Rialto Bridge in Venice by David Tyrell (Image: WWPS)

The Rialto Bridge in Venice by David Tyrell (Image: WWPS)

The travels of the Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society

There are plans to fill the Ornamental Water in Wanstead Park from the River Roding (Image: John Sharpe)

There are plans to fill the Ornamental Water in Wanstead Park from the River Roding (Image: John Sharpe)

Cllr Paul Donovan

Keeping the lakes full of water in Wanstead Park

Lacoste, the American alligator, adores playing with her football (Image: GTKA)

Lacoste, the American alligator, adores playing with her football (Image: GTKA)

Get To Know Animals (GTKA)

The indoor exotic animal sanctuary where rescued creatures are home for life

Ancient trees in Epping Forest (Image: City of London Corporation)

Ancient trees in Epping Forest (Image: City of London Corporation)

Epping Forest is one of the most significant ancient woodlands in the UK

Waltham Forest is aiming to help save swifts from extinction

Waltham Forest is aiming to help save swifts from extinction

Waltham Forest Council

The east London council rolling out plan to save bird species from extinction

Paul Donovan wants to see more schemes like Grow Zones (Image: Paul Donovan)

Paul Donovan wants to see more schemes like Grow Zones (Image: Paul Donovan)

It is time to call a nature emergency

Longhorn cows are returning to Epping Forest in September (Image: City of London Corporation)

Longhorn cows are returning to Epping Forest in September (Image: City of London Corporation)

Cllr Paul Donovan

Working in partnership with nature around Wanstead Flats

Ben Murphy has been in his position at the City of London Corporation for three years

Ben Murphy has been in his position at the City of London Corporation for three years

Leaving Epping Forest but leaving the gift of nature free for all

Hedgehog sightings are asked to be reported

Hedgehog sightings are asked to be reported

Waltham Forest Council

'We must do much more': Nature emergency declared by east London borough

Volunteers play a huge part in maintaining Wanstead Park (Image: Friends of Wanstead Parklands)

Volunteers play a huge part in maintaining Wanstead Park (Image: Friends of Wanstead Parklands)

Cllr Paul Donovan

The great work of volunteers must not be exploited

Visitors enjoy the display of bluebells in Chalet Wood (Image: PA)

Visitors enjoy the display of bluebells in Chalet Wood (Image: PA)

Its time to get back to a partnership with nature

Bitterns are hard to spot in their natural reed habitat (Image: PA)

Bitterns are hard to spot in their natural reed habitat (Image: PA)

Excitement at spotting an animal for the first time in the wild

Constellation of Leo Image: North Essex Astronomical Society

Constellation of Leo Image: North Essex Astronomical Society

North Essex Astronomical Society: What to look for in the sky this March

The River Roding is the third longest river in London (Image: Ken Mears)

The River Roding is the third longest river in London (Image: Ken Mears)

Cllr Paul Donovan

'The River Roding is being threatened by negligence'

Bees and other insects are under threat (Image: PA)

Bees and other insects are under threat (Image: PA)

Action needed to avert biodiversity crisis

Ben Murphy joins Jon Phillips to make sure the British Longhorn cattle have their winter feed (Image: City of London Corporation)

Ben Murphy joins Jon Phillips to make sure the British Longhorn cattle have their winter feed (Image: City of London Corporation)

Let Epping Forest help you keep your New Year's resolutions

Donald Trump won the Presidential Election in November (Image: PA)

Donald Trump won the Presidential Election in November (Image: PA)

Climate emergency

Hopes and fears for the year ahead

Walthamstow Wetlands

Walthamstow Wetlands

The east London nature attraction that is the biggest of its type in Europe

The boathouse by Connaught Waters in Epping Forest is no longer there (Image: Gary Stone)

The boathouse by Connaught Waters in Epping Forest is no longer there (Image: Gary Stone)

Community contribution

Then and Now: Connaught Waters in Epping Forest

A lot of youngsters turned out for the children's litter pick at Chingford (Image: City of London Corporation)

A lot of youngsters turned out for the children's litter pick at Chingford (Image: City of London Corporation)

Celebrating the volunteers of London's Green Lungs

Ancient woodland like Epping Forest need protecting (Image: Ken Mears)

Ancient woodland like Epping Forest need protecting (Image: Ken Mears)

Loss of biodiversity threatens the future of the planet

Paul Donovan is enjoying the bluebells in Chalet Wood

Paul Donovan is enjoying the bluebells in Chalet Wood

Spring is a great time to be alive

Chingford and Woodford Green MP, Sir Iain Duncan Smith and the minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries, Mark Spencer at Epping Forest with Ben Murphy and COL staff (Image: City of London Corporation)

Chingford and Woodford Green MP, Sir Iain Duncan Smith and the minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries, Mark Spencer at Epping Forest with Ben Murphy and COL staff (Image: City of London Corporation)

'Epping Forest is of national and international conservation importance'

Peregrine falcons can be seen flying over Wanstead Flats (Image: PA)

Peregrine falcons can be seen flying over Wanstead Flats (Image: PA)

'Look up to the sky - you may be surprised what you see'

Ben Murphy is getting festive in Epping Forest (Image: City of London Corporation)

Ben Murphy is getting festive in Epping Forest (Image: City of London Corporation)

A Castle For Christmas

Celebrating the successes of 2023 in Epping Forest

The Barbastelle Bat had not been seen in London since the late 1950s.

The Barbastelle Bat had not been seen in London since the late 1950s.

When rare bat sighted for the first time since late 1950s

A road-side view of Wanstead Park. Main image: Google Street View

A road-side view of Wanstead Park. Main image: Google Street View

Much-loved park cannot be left to deteriorate

The front of Comely Bank

The front of Comely Bank

The grand house that is now home to a dentists

Walthamstow Wetlands was due to open to the public on October 20

Walthamstow Wetlands was due to open to the public on October 20

When a 'fantastic oasis' was set to open to the public

Paul Donovan believes the arrival of autumn is always a special time of year

Paul Donovan believes the arrival of autumn is always a special time of year

Appreciating the seasons helps make sense of life

Parkers Dairies has received dozens of complaints about foxes stealing orders

Parkers Dairies has received dozens of complaints about foxes stealing orders

When a dairy was doing battle with thieving foxes

Low Hall Nature Reserve. Image: Google Maps

Low Hall Nature Reserve. Image: Google Maps

Criminal charges considered after man killed by falling tree

Dr Alex Henshaw, Deputy Head of Queen Mary’s School of Geography, pictured with students working on the Blue Green E17 project

Dr Alex Henshaw, Deputy Head of Queen Mary’s School of Geography, pictured with students working on the Blue Green E17 project

Residents asked for best-loved nature spots in Walthamstow to support project

East London Waterworks Park plan (left) and members (right) Picture: Jonathan Perugia / Gaia Visual

East London Waterworks Park plan (left) and members (right) Picture: Jonathan Perugia / Gaia Visual

Planned waterworks park reaches £100,000 to redevelop industrial site