Transforming the environmental and community value of the Crane Valley, Feltham
The Crane Valley extends for around 5km through West London and is a green corridor of around 250 hectares of interconnected open space containing a vast number of habitats and heritage interests. This project aims to transform the Donkey Wood and Brazil Mill Wood stretches of the Crane Valley through community action and involvement.
The River Crane flows through the London boroughs of Hillingdon, Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames and although the drainage basin is heavily urbanised, the Crane Valley is one of the few river corridors within London that provides a continuous belt of semi-natural habitat.
Around a third of the Hounslow’s population live within a short walk of these open spaces, including those in some of the most disadvantaged parts of the Borough.
Areas such as Donkey Wood and Brazil Mill Wood in Feltham include some of the highest value environmental assets in West London. These areas are currently rather run down and intimidating, and consequently little used by local people.
Over the last fifteen years the partners in this project have been working with the London Boroughs of Hounslow and Richmond to enhance the environmental value and community use of Crane Park and Pevensey Road Nature Reserve, further down the Crane Valley. These spaces have now become well used and much loved spaces that families and young children are happy to use at all times of the day.
This project, generously funded by the Hounslow Community Grant, is the first step in our mission to replicate this approach along the Donkey Wood and Brazil Mill Wood stretches of the Crane in Feltham.
As part of this project we will be running:
- Practical conservation volunteering days focusing on activities such as scrub clearance, habitat enhancement, coppicing, dead-hedging, planting and loggery building
- School engagement sessions
- Outdoor family-learning sessions
- Community events, walks & talks
- Corporate volunteering days with local businesses
The partners
Alongside Habitats & Heritage the project partners are:
Let’s Go Outside & Learn
A CIC that introduces residents of urban built-up environments to local green-spaces through outdoor learning activities to achieve multiple outcomes including improved health and wellbeing, stronger communities and increased environmental awareness.
https://e-voice.org.uk/lgoal/
Friends of River Crane Environment
A charity protecting and enhancing the community and environmental value of the Crane Valley. They have several hundred members and around 100 volunteers who deliver projects through active partnerships with local authorities, local businesses and third sector organisations.
www.force.org.uk
The Conservation Volunteers (TCV)
A national conservation volunteering charity with a local office covering the London Boroughs of Richmond and Hounslow running regular workdays in both areas.
www.tcv.org.uk/london/richmond
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