With sunshine and clear skies, a new team from Lovell Partnerships ventured out to Springfield Park in East London to protect a section of the park from both human and natural intervention alike with the London Wildlife Trust.

The day kicked off with cutting back a large section of dogwood trees on the edge of a field, reducing the monoculture and providing space for new species to grow. The cut material was used in two further projects: weaving natural fences to keep pedestrians out of the woodland, and building minor dams to slightly slow the flow of a natural undergound spring that bubbled up next to the footpath, reducing the soil erosion on the hillside during heavy rains.

After both projects were completed and following a quick break for lunch at the park cafe, the team reconvened to clear out a hedge of overgrown brambles at the bottom of the hill that were choking out other plantlife and disturbing other habitats. By cutting them back, like the dogwood, new plants have the opportunity to grow and the decaying cut brambles will provide an excellent winter habitat for insects and other bugs.

During the day, a number of community members stopped by and commended the work, including the Springfield Park Manager and a member of the local council.