1. Sustainability and Tree Planting - the Work of the Enfield Society's Trees Group
To receive a presentation for discussion from the Enfield Society.
2. Firs Farm Wetlands Project
To receive a presentation for discussion.
Minutes:
1. Enfield Society Tree Project
The forum received a presentation from John West (Enfield Society) on the Enfield Society Trees Project.
1.1 Presentation
The following points were highlighted during the presentation:
· The overall aim of the Enfield Society was the conservation and enhancement of the civic and natural environment.
· The society managed a tree nursery at the Trentwood Side Allotments where they cultivate about 140 saplings a year, varying in size from small specimens to 3 metre high trees.
· People donate saplings, often found in their gardens, and these are grown on until they are ready to be planted in local parks and open spaces.
· The planting of native species in encouraged as well as European trees in decline such as the Mulberry and the Black Walnut.
· The Society work closely with the friends of the park’s groups and the Council’s arboricultural and parks’ officers.
· Recently they have provided trees in Arnos Park, Bush Hill Park, Firs Farm Wetlands and the Weir Hall Recreation Ground.
· The Society are currently working with the Friends of Broomfield Park and on providing trees along the London Loop as part of the Enfield Chase Restoration project.
· Once trees are planted, local people are encouraged to monitor them to ensure that they survive.
· The Society has produced a book “Young Explorers” aimed at key stage 1 and 2 to encourage an interest in young people.
· Many Enfield trees were planted in the first half of the 20th century and were now reaching the end of their natural life and so needed replacing.
· The society is always looking for young saplings and sites that would benefit from a tree.
1.2 Questions/Comments
1.2.1 Members thanked John West for his presentation which they found very informative.
1.2.2 Trees were monolithed often to reduce root growth especially in street trees. There was some concern about this being done to trees in Trent Park. It was suggested that questions about this would best be addressed to the Council’s arboricultural officer.
1.2.3 Concern about protecting the newly planted trees in Enfield Chase which were felt to be vulnerable to theft and vandalism.
1.2.4 The request that Bowes School along the North Circular be considered for future planting projects.
1.3 Summing up by the Chair
The Chair summed up by thanking John West for his presentation, referring the query on molithing trees to the Council’s arboricultural officer and requesting that the Enfield Society book on tree spotting be made available to the Council to help promote.
2. Firs Farm Wetlands Project
Helen Osman with Gail Nielen from the Friends of Firs Farm gave a presentation on the Firs Farm Wetlands Project.
2.1 Presentation
The following points were highlighted during the presentation:
· Firs Farm was originally farmland, used during the second world war as a prisoner of war camp and after as a playing field. But it had become dilapidated and underused in recent years.
· In 2013 Toni Guiver and others had decided that something should be done. They had leafleted the local community and got together a core group of people to form the Friends of Firs Farm. The Friends Group worked with the Council, Thames 21 and Thames Water and eventually manage to obtain £175,000 from the GLA to develop part of the playing fields as a wetland habitat and Community Park.
· This was based on five objectives - HERBS (Health, Education, Recreation, Biodiversity and Sport).
· Work took place from 2015 to 2017. Part of the Moore Brook which fed into Pymmes Brook was transformed from one of the most polluted rivers in the country into an attractive wetlands area. Hundreds of volunteers had taken part in the project and over 900 trees and shrubs planted. Nature had soon taken over to create this very attractive wetlands area. A local naturalist had recently found around 85 different species around the ponds.
· It had been a tremendous community achievement and an excellent example of collaboration between the Council, the community and corporate sponsorship. A lot of money had been raised for the project and fundraising was continuing for further works.
· Children had been at the heart of everything. Many child-based activities had been organised, including for National Children’s Day, Halloween and a Winter Christmas Castle. Downloadable sheets were available as well as pond dipping activities, teddy bear and fairy hunts, mud kitchen and play area. Families and schools had all taken part in tree planting events.
· It had been extraordinary how many people had used the area during lockdown, even on freezing cold days.
· The wetlands had united people from both the east and the west of the borough.
· The project had more than met objectives. It had improved health and wellbeing, was an educational resource for local families and schools, provided recreational opportunities, creating a wild space for the community, reduced the risk of flooding, reduced pollution and encouraged more sporting activities.
· Even more sporting facilities were planned, including an upgrade to the changing rooms to create a new community hub. This project had stalled due to the pandemic, but would be pursued.
· The wetlands had been achieved through strong community leadership. Special thanks were due to Toni Guiver who had lived and breathed the project, pushing it through despite many obstacles.
· There had been an enormous amount of community engagement especially involving children. Monitoring the number of visitors every year at specific entry points, the first year there had been 8 people, last year at the same point over 400.
2.2 Questions/Comments
2.2.1 Thanks and appreciation from the members for a fantastic example of community collaboration and an amazing achievement.
2.2.2 Councillors offered their help and support saying that they were always willing to engage with local residents on projects like this. Help with creating the community hub was requested. Money, time and staff help was always needed.
2.2.3 Litter was always a problem, particularly as numbers of visitors increased. It was addressed by volunteers who took part in regular litter picks.
2.2.4 Helen Osman said the Friends were always happy to talk to other groups to share their practice and experiences.
2.2.5 The Friends were also hoping to bring more sport to the park. Hiring out the sports pitches bought in regular income
2.2.6 Thanks were given to sponsors, Thames 21 and Ian Russell at the Council for his great guidance and support.
2.2.7 It was suggested that that more should be done to co-ordinate activities in Enfield which was one of the greenest boroughs in London and to communicate what was being done. So much was happening and it did need to be pulled together.
2.3 Summing up by the Chair
The Chair thanked Helen Osman and Gail Nielen for their presentation. She said that it was important to bring together people working across the borough and to communicate what was being done. The more that is known about, the easier it is to provide support.