Eels on the River Brent

Volunteers are helping to monitor the passage of eels along the River Brent as part of a project for the Zoological Society of London. The Thames Rivers Trust, in cooperation with the Canal and River Trust and the Environment Agency, has installed three eel passes on the lower reaches of Brent at Brentford, Boston Manor, and Osterley. Eel numbers have severely declined since the 1980s, such that they are now classified as critically endangered.
If you'd like to help monitor eels, please get in touch marineandfreshwater@zsl.org or Chris.cockel@environmenttrust.co.uk

Climate Pavilion Unveiled

The eagerly awaited Climate Pavilion was unveiled on March 22nd at Tokyngton Park, Wembley. The pavilion provides a focal point, will serve as an outdoor classroom, and eventually will feature solar powered lighting.

Children from Oakington Manor Primary School were joined by local council officials to cut the ribbon and re-dedicate themselves to the task of tackling climate change.

Ribbon cutting, accompanied by an Indian Dhol drum.

Children from Oakington Manor Primary School

Why go to Gateshead to see the Angel of the North?

This panel explains the background to the project

This panel, created by the children from Oakington Manor, explains what climate change is.

The wind sculpture now has its own cartoon interpretation panel

Here's a snap-shot of the panel

The River Brent at Tokyngton Park was re-naturalised ten years ago. Now the spring is greeted with a flush of colour from plants such as lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria), while it can still compete with the Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), which can be seen emerging amongst the flowering Ranunculus.

 One consequence of a warmer climate is the proliferation of invasive non-native plants, such as giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). Not looking very giant at the moment, but wait until May or June.

Would you like to help clean up the River Brent?

What kind of a person would treat their local park like this? Help us clear up this kind of mess and improve the lives of all residents.

Please report poor water quality and pollution to the Environment Agency 0800 80 70 60

The Thames Rivers Restoration Trust's River Brent Project is looking for volunteers to help improve the river for people and wildlfe. If you are a member of a local residents' association, youth group etc. or just an individual who is tired of seeing the river treated as a dumping ground, then please get in touch. If we pool our resources and energies, we can improve the river together. In 2012, we would like to organise work parties to pick up litter in our riverside parks, tackle the problem of invasive non-native plants, monitor water quality and report pollution incidents to the Environment Agency, to start small river restoration projects to improve habitat for fish and to generally publicise the benefits of having a major river on our doorstep in west London. Please get in touch if you are concerned about the River Brent or any of its tributaries, such as the Wealdstone Brook, Silk Stream, Dollis Brook, Mutton Brook, Dean's Brook, Burnt Oak Brook, Harrow Brook and others. Contact Chris, the TRRT River Brent Projects Officer, at trrtgb@gmail.com



Saturday November 26th, 2011

Today volunteers helped to plant over 400 trees at Tokyngton Park in conjunction with Groundwork and Brent Council. The native trees, provided by the Woodland Trust, were planted along the bund that shields the park from the busy A406 North Circular Road. The trees will also help to tackle climate change and the effects of the urban heat island.
Volunteers are needed in the summer months to keep an eye on the trees and to help with watering so that the roots do not dry out. All too often, young trees do not make it through the first year, due to a lack of follow-up maintenance. Hopefully, this area can be managed in the years to come, to provide a shield from the busy North Circular, provide a haven for wildlife, reduce run-off into the River Brent and improve the appearance of the park for generations to come.
We hope to improve other areas throughout the River Brent catchment by working with all interested parties in improving water quality and tackling diffuse urban run-off, by planting trees, clearing litter, managing invasive species and restoring natural river processes. So please let us know if there's an area you'd like to see improved along the river, in Harrow, Barnet, Brent, Ealing or Hounslow. If you have an existing community group that you'd like to involve, or if you'd like support in starting an initiative in your local area within the Brent River Valley, please get in touch.
Thank you for your support!

River Brent - Tokyngton Park Saturday 29th October 2011

Today, TRRT with its partners Thames21, Groundwork and Brent Council, helped remove mountains of rubbish from around Tokyngton Park and the St. Raphael's Estate alongside the River Brent. Daffodil bulbs were also planted to add some colour in the spring.
Thank you everyone for your hardwork. The next event in the park is a tree-planting event on Saturday November 26th, when we'll be planting native trees supplied by the Woodland Trust along the bund that separates the park from the A406 North Circular Road. Join us then! Meeting place: the Vivian Road playground at 10:30. Please wear old and warm clothes, and sturdy shoes or boots.
We hope to organise another big rubbish clean-up sometime in the new year, and begin a programme of woodland management to enhance the value of the area for wildlife and deter anti-social behaviour- watch this space!