London communities have cause to celebrate this week, as fundraising efforts from local groups have contributed to a major milestone for the Save Our Wild Isles Community Fund.
The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world [1] with over 40% of species in decline [2], yet we depend on nature for a stable climate and our own health and wellbeing.
Communities across the UK are playing a crucial role in helping to restore nature, which is why WWF, the RSPB, and Aviva came together for the first time to launch the Save Our Wild Isles Community Fund to make it easier for community groups to take action for nature in their local area.
An incredible £2 million has now been raised through the fund to protect and restore nature across the UK, with over £1 million directly raised by local community groups.
Some of London’s community projects Project: Cody Dock Medicine Garden
As an East London borough, Newham is one of the most diverse in the UK, but it also experiences some of the most challenging health outcomes and inequalities. Through the Save Our Wild Isles Community Fund the project is continuing its work by creating a new, public medicine garden at Cody Dock, which will also be an engagement, teaching and volunteering opportunity.
The group will plant native, common medicinal plants in the garden, and use the opportunity to teach about self-care by making teas, creams and remedies. They also plan to plant the garden in a way that invites frogs, invertebrates, bees and butterflies into the space. The aim is to link the new medicine garden to Cody Dock’s ‘The Social’ project, which supports many of the local residents experiencing loneliness, social isolation or grief and bereavement.
Project: New riverside community garden in Ladywell
The Rural Urban Synthesis Society (RUSS) is a volunteer-led Community Land Trust which has built 36 unique, sustainable and permanently affordable flats on a formerly derelict site in Ladywell, southeast London. With support from the Save Our Wild Isles Community Fund, the group will create a new publicly accessible community garden onsite, alongside Ravensbourne River. The garden will be free for members of the public, local residents, schools and community groups to enjoy. They plan to plant around 40 trees on the site, including fruit and nut trees, as well as a mixed hedgerow of native species to support pollinators and bats. They will also integrate community benches, beds for growing food, a bike repair space, and natural play areas for children, while ensuring the space is accessible to all.
About the Save Our Wild Isles Community Fund
Launched in spring this year, the fund was created to support community groups across the UK to restore nature in their local areas, funded by £1 million from Aviva, in partnership with WWF and the RSPB.
The Save Our Wild Isles Community Fund has given £2 for every £1 raised by each project, helping community groups reach their fundraising target quicker. Overall, the fund has raised over £2,345,000 and supported over 250 projects.
In a joint statement, Kate Norgrove, Executive Director of Advocacy and Campaigns at WWF and Emma Marsh, RSPB Executive Director said:
“The fact that over 250 local groups in London and across the UK have raised £1 million for nature underlines the importance of community-based projects when it comes to protecting our precious wildlife and restoring green spaces. We are constantly amazed by stories of how people are making a difference, and the positive ripple effect this inspires. This is a real win for UK nature at the time it is most in need.”
