Rewilding Arcadia project update

Now that there is six months left of Phase One of the Rewilding Arcadia project, there's a chance to reflect on what's been achieved so far.

Thames Landscape Strategy are currently preparing for Phase Two by establishing the legacy of the project with lots of exciting events and consultations to come.

This is a community-led project which could not have come this far without community involvement and support. They will continue to engage and listen to the diverse voices of the local community throughout the project and beyond.

Some of Phase One's achievements include:

• Native riparian planting and diversification at the Kew meridians and Ham
• The establishment of 100m of spiling on the Kew Towpath and the Kew Meridians
• Several Rewilding Arcadia Roadshow pop-ups throughout Richmond
• Open House Festival Tour of the water conduits in Richmond Park
• Walks, talks and events with local community groups, including use of our very own 17th century replica camera obscura

Their dedicated team of volunteers are approaching the end of their year-long roles as Citizen Scientists. They've been using dip meters to take weekly measurements in a number of boreholes throughout Old Deer Park, which have been fed back to a Hydrologist who has mapped out the behaviour of the water as it enters the park.

The results from this vital work will form the basis of future land management within the park and how to work with the water instead of against it.

They'll be commissioning a similar hydrological survey for next year in Ham and Petersham and will be looking for volunteers to help with this exciting task. Your local riverside needs you!

Please join in and have fun whilst helping your local riverside at Kew. We will be undertaking vegetation management and a traditional technique called willow spiling to protect the towpath from erosion and enhance habitat. Everyone is welcome, no experience necessary!

Sessions will take place at Old Palace Lane from 10am to 2pm on the following dates: 

• Wednesday 2 November
• Thursday 3 November
• Thursday 10 November
• Tuesday 15 November
• Thursday 17 November
• Wednesday 23 November
• Thursday 24 November
• Monday 28 November
• Thursday 1 December

Find out more information about the project.