Be part of the Change – Help Shape Redbridge’s Nature Emergency Action Plan
Published: 06 March 2026
Redbridge Council has declared a Nature Emergency triggering a community workshop dedicated to developing the borough’s first ever Nature Emergency Action Plan.
The move was prompted by the concerning decline of nature in the UK and the desire to reverse that in Redbridge by supporting nature and local wildlife.
Local people of all ages are being asked to join the borough’s first nature emergency workshop to share their views, suggestions and ideas to help develop Redbridge’s Nature Emergency Action Plan.
The in-person event takes place on Wednesday 18 March 2026, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, in the Gloucester Room at Redbridge Central Library in Ilford.
Register your interest for the event on: Nature Emergency Action Plan: Public Workshop Tickets, Wednesday, Mar 18 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm | Eventbrite
Breakout sessions at the event will give attendees the chance to engage with the Nature Emergency Action Plan from the very start of its development to help shape the themes and priorities going forward.
Opening the event will be Redbridge’s Cabinet Member for the Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Jo Blackman, followed by guests members sharing some of Redbridge’s milestone achievements around nature.
The platform will also mark the official launch of Redbridge’s new Climate Change Strategy 2026-2030, listing more than 130 eco actions over five major themes including nature.
Focused on building on existing successes and progressing new goals, the Climate Change Strategy will help create a greener, more sustainable Redbridge and marks key achievements made so far.
Redbridge Cabinet Member for the Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Jo Blackman said: “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. Joining our Nature Emergency event is a great place to start, because your voice can help shape the priorities for Redbridge’s Nature Emergency Action Plan. We’ll also being using the event to launch our new Climate Change Strategy which commits to over 130 actions, including around nature – so please do come along and find out how we can work together as a community to create a greener and more sustainable Redbridge.”
Nature related success already delivered in the borough include:
· Over 65,000 new trees planted over the past decade.
· 160,000 sqm of new wild spaces created.
· 10,073 sqm of highways grass converted to grow zones since 2022, with 162 plant species identified.
· Over 500 fruit trees were distributed in the community to provide canopy cover and support biodiversity in the borough.
· 30+ community gardens were adopted and cultivated by local gardening groups including 2 mini orchards.
· 70+ on-street planters were adopted by businesses and community partnerships.
· 850+ tree pits adopted through ‘Adopt a Tree Pit’ and ‘Pollinator Pathways’ schemes.
· 4.2 km of highway removed from herbicide spraying schedule.
· Aldborough Hall Nature Reserve (39 hectares) created as part of Fairlop Waters Country Park.
· Wildflower meadows added at Elmhurst Gardens (23.05 sqm) and Redbridge Recycling Centre (209.65 sqm).
Keep an eye out on our website or sign-up to the Our Streets enewsletter for further opportunities to share your views and suggestions for Redbridge’s Nature Emergency Action Plan.
E-newsletter sign-ups: https://my.redbridge.gov.uk/Account/AnonymousSubscriptions
