Habitat Creation As well as having a rich variety of habitat in itself, the garden is an important connection between adjacent green spaces and the River Lea. We are increasing and improving habitat for a list of priority species we identify through research and monitoring. These are designed to create and enhance the connections with our neighbouring green spaces. For instance we lay hedges of various kinds to create routes, food sources and nesting for birds and small animals.
Biodiversity and rewilding As Robin Hood is a green space in a very built up environment, it needs to be managed carefully. We work with existing natural cycles and, by referring to our local surveys and information from nature and environment organisations, we are protecting and gradually introducing more plant species to increase biodiversity. This process creates a more robust natural environment which in turn encourages a greater variety of insect and animal life.
River health The garden sits in an important position on the banks of the River Lea. It is one of the few green spaces on the lower Lea catchment that is not occupied by buildings, residential mooring or sports facilities. It is sited at the bottom steep road and urban development, making it is a prime corridor for rainwater run-off into the river. In increasingly extreme weather conditions rainwater run-off poses a major threat to wildlife, particularly aquatic life. We have been developing a sustainable drainage system (SUDS) masterplan for the garden which aims to mitigate this effect.
Surveys and data collection Data helps us plan and prioritise our ongoing programme of work to support and promote nature and biodiversity. Also, by using national and global citizen science platforms as part of our survey and data collection process, we are contributing important information to the big picture, and sharing our observations and experience with other groups and organisations working in the field. Two examples of this are the Modular River Survey (MoRPh) and iNaturalist.
Ecological management plan We are using Natural England‘s biodiversity metric to formulate our Habitat management and monitoring plan. This will look ahead a minimum 30 years to ensure that work undertaken will have a lasting, positive impact on the garden site’s natural environment.
Human food biome As part nurturing nature and community, we grow food and explore ways in which human food needs can be met with as little impact or harm to the natural environment and maximum benefit in terms of health and nutrition for human beings. We use the biome concept to explore and explain how food production can utilise natural processes , such as plant microbiomes, to work in greater harmony with the environment.
Education The garden is made up of a richly varied and fascinating tapestry of natural and human-made elements. From fruit orchards to fungi, soil bacteria and insects to small mammals, compost heaps to wildlife ponds, there is a wealth to explore and learn. This is available to everyone who uses the garden to explore and we are building a small library to help all age groups and cultures to assimilate this experience and take part. We a developing a program of activities for school groups which stimulates curiosity and inquiry, and complements all stages of the national curriculum.