The Games are Coming…is Walthamstow Marshes Ready?
Date Published: 24/08/2009
Walthamstow Marshes to be cleaned up by volunteers
The Games are Coming…is Walthamstow Marshes Ready?
Local volunteers needed to support the first in a series of London 2012 Changing Places Programme Community Volunteer Events
The athletes are in training, the venues are under construction and now it’s time to transform the local environment surrounding the Games-time venues.
London 2012 and Lee Valley Regional Park have teamed up to organise a series of conservation events in the host boroughs. The aim is to use the power of the Games to improve local environments and create long-lasting change.
The first event takes place at Walthamstow Marshes Nature Reserve on Wednesday 26 August. London 2012 and Lee Valley Regional Park are calling on local residents to lend a hand and play an active role in improving their local environment. The task will include vegetation management, cutting back brambles and general clean-up roles to improve the overall appearance of the area.
There are limited spaces available at this free event, which runs from 10am to 3pm and includes lunch and refreshments. Volunteers are encouraged to register their interest early by signing up at changingplaces@london2012.com.
Walthamstow Marshes Nature Reserve is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to a diverse population of birds and flora. During the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, Walthamstow Marshes will be a key Active Spectator route to the Olympic Park, used by thousands each day.
This first conservation task is part of the ‘Changing Places’ Programme scheme coordinated by London 2012, aiming to inspire communities to improve public spaces, and at the same time acquire new interests and skills.
A second conservation task will take place at Walthamstow Marshes on Thursday 10 September to create a wood chip thicket path through the Nature Reserve. Volunteers can sign up at changingplaces@london2012.com.