Environment

Lee Valley Regional Park

The Lee Valley Regional Park is a mixture of old and new habitats all of which result in some degree from human intervention. This intervention and mosaic of wetland habitats has created many opportunities for wildlife, where across the UK wetland habitat is increasingly under threat.

To ensure the sustainable use of the Regional Park a framework of objectives called the Biodiversity Action Plan has been produced. This highlights key habitats and species and drives conservation work through specific targets.

The day to day management of the open spaces and wildlife sites is carried out by the Ranger Service.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest SSSI

SSSIs are a national selection of sites providing statutory protection for the best examples of the UK's flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features.

These sites are also used to support other national and international nature conservation designations such as Special Protection Areas (SPAs).

SSSIs are notified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Improved provisions for the protection and management of SSSIs were introduced by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (in England and Wales).

There are eight SSSIs in the Lee Valley Regional Park.

Amwell Quarry SSSI

Rye Meads SSSI

Turnford and Cheshunt Pits SSSI

Cornmill Stream and the Old River Lea SSSI

Waltham Abbey SSSI

Chingford Reservoirs SSSI

Walthamstow Reservoirs SSSI

Walthamstow Marshes SSSI

Information on all of the statutorily protected sites (SSSI, Ramsar and SPA sites) can be found on the Natural England website http://www.natureonthemap.org.uk/.