Landscape Recovery: Restoring the Colne Valley for People and Wildlife
The Colne Valley Regional Park is the first taste of countryside to the west of London. With 10 million people living within 15 kilometres, it has become a green lung for residents to exercise and connect with nature. Connecting with green spaces and the countryside can do wonders for your mental and physical health. And let’s not forget, it’s a vital home for wildlife.
Unfortunately, in the last decade or so, the Colne Valley Park has become one of the most pressurised parts of the Green Belt. The Green Belt is increasingly seen by the market as a prime opportunity for development due to a lack of clear policies addressing these pressures and so-called ‘needs’. In addition to this pressure, many of our access points and green spaces are becoming neglected, which negatively impacts the quality of our countryside and has led to a dramatic decline in biodiversity.
That’s where the Landscape Recovery Team steps in. Our mission is simple but ambitious: to enhance, protect, and restore the Colne Valley so both people and wildlife can thrive, now and for generations to come.
What we’re doing/what we want to achieve
Improving Landscape Quality and Access
We’re working to open up the countryside and make it more welcoming for everyone.
How we’re doing it:
- Opening/restoring neglected footpaths
- Enhancing entrance points to green spaces
- Creating better connections between paths
- Organising litter picks to keep our spaces clean and inviting
Why it matters:
Imagine wanting to explore the countryside but being met with overgrown, narrow, and unwelcoming paths; by improving access and the landscape quality, we’re breaking down these barriers, making it easier for everyone to enjoy the peace and beauty of nature.
Conserving and Enhancing Biodiversity
We’re not just protecting wildlife—we’re helping it thrive.
How we’re doing it:
- Managing woodlands, rivers, and green spaces to ensure they’re healthy and diverse.
- Tackling invasive species that outcompete our native plants and wildlife.
- Restoring habitats so native species can flourish again.
- Enhance connectivity for wildlife
Why it matters:
Biodiversity is at the heart of a healthy environment. It plays a vital role in keeping our air and water clean, supports pollinators that are essential for growing our crops, and helps build resilience to climate change. By protecting and enhancing biodiversity, we’re creating a future where both people and nature can thrive together.
Together, we can restore the Colne Valley—creating a place that inspires, supports, and connects us all.
Below, you will find case studies and updates on our progress so far.
Landscape Recovery Case Studies
Contact detail:
For further information about our projects or ideas for future projects please contact the Landscape Recovery team on: [email protected]
