Restore Nature Pledge roadshows announced: Come along and take the pledge to restore nature in Redbridge

Local people are being invited to play an active part in creating a thriving biodiverse borough by getting involved in Redbridge Council’s new Restore Nature Pledge.

The Council-led initiative was launched earlier this year and invites local people to take the pledge to commit to one or more of the pledge actions designed to support nature, especially local wildlife, and plants.

The ten pledge actions are simple and can make a difference to local environments, especially when they are done together as a community.

Redbridge Council’s Neighbourhood Engagement team will be on the road this summer - sharing information on greening initiatives and how you can get involved. They will also have a limited number of free giveaways at each event, to help you get started with your pledges. Head to the roadshow stalls at the below events and locations:

• South Woodford's Summer Festival- George Lane, E18 1AN - Sunday 20th July, 11am - 4pm
• Disability Festival in the Park- Christchurch Green, Wanstead, E11 2RH - Wednesday 23rd July, 12pm - 7pm
• Goodmayes Park Community Compost Site- Park keeper compound - Friday 25th July, 11am - 1pm
• Seven Kings Park Community Compost Site- Park keeper compound - Friday 25th July, 2pm - 4pm
• Redbridge Outdoor Arts- Ken Aston Square, Barkingside, IG6 2EA - Saturday 26th July, 11am - 2pm
• South Park Community Compost Site- Tuesday 29th July, 11am - 2pm 
• At the entrance of Valentines Mansion- Emerson Road, Ilford, IG1 4XA - Monday 4th August, 11:30am - 2:30pm

Encouraging local people to get involved, Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability Cllr Jo Blackman said: “Whether you have a windowsill, a balcony, an area at your school or office, or a private garden, you can get involved. The State of Nature Report 2023 reveals UK wildlife has declined by 19% since 1970, with 1 in 6 species at risk of extinction. We all have a responsibility to do what we can to reverse this, including through collective local action. With expert help, the Council has created a choice of simple actions that you can choose from. Every pledge creates more connected habitats, supports nature, and brings mental and physical wellbeing benefits.”

To find out more online or to make your Restore Nature Pledge go to: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/our-streets/restore-nature-pledge/

The Redbridge Restore Nature Pledge is also part of the Council’s commitment to work with local communities to create wild spaces in the borough. 400,000sqm of wild spaces have been created in Redbridge so far - exceeding the council’s original target of 160,000sqm. Through the Restore Nature Pledge local communities can continue to help create more wild spaces in the borough. Wild spaces are designed to support nature and help create thriving habitats for local wildlife, including pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which are vital to our ecosystems.

They can be areas of any size and can be created in gardens, balconies, patios, community spaces, parks, and even school grounds – helping boost local biodiversity, and it can be as simple as a few nectar-rich flowers in a pot or as extensive as a wildflower meadow, or a corner of an allotment.  

The Restore Nature Pledge is a great way for local people to get involved and help expand the wild spaces Redbridge Council has created in the borough through regeneration and Highways greening schemes. 

Since launching the initiative, enough pledges have been made so for by local people to create 40,000sqm of new wild spaces –that’s half the size of Buckingham Palace, and with more pledges on the way Redbridge’s wild spaces will continue to grow!