Other ways to engage with natural spaces

Get involved in citizen science

Citizen science is the participation of the general public in scientific research, where volunteers collaborate with professional scientists to collect, analyze, or interpret data, often about the natural environment. It enables more people to contribute to research into biodiversity, climate, and environmental issues.

Greenspace Information for Greater London (GIGL) is London's official environmental records centre, operating as a community interest company (CIC). It collates data on London’s natural environment, including species records, wildlife habitats, open spaces and green infrastructure, to inform policy, planning, and conservation. GIGL lead a variety of citizen science surveys in collaboration with organisations such as the London Wildlife Trust. Anyone can contribute, and you can view live survey forms and submit records here.

The Ching Action Group is working with Thames 21 to track the water quality in the Ching as part of a wider London Lea Catchment Partnership programme. You can view current issues or report a problem here. Thames Water are asking residents to report evidence of pollution in the River Ching. You can report a problem here through the Thames Water website.


Citizen science surveys include recording deer sightings across London (Source: London Wildlife Trust)

Annual events

The RSPB Big Annual Bird Watch is an annual event. All you need to do is spend one hour watching the birds in your garden, local patch, or park, recording the birds that land there. You should then tell the RSPB what you saw, even if that’s nothing at all, by submitting your results online or post.

The 2nd of February is World Wetlands Day, organised by WWT which sees a number of additional events in Walthamstow Wetlands each February.

London in Bloom is a campaign and competition where Boroughs, communities, residents, businesses can work together to improve the environment of London to make a greener, cleaner place to live, work and visit. The event happens throughout the year, with judging for competitions taking place during the summer months.

E17 Open Gardens is a community event in Walthamstow where local residents open their private or communal gardens to the public for a weekend of exploration, inspiration and fundraising, organised by Organiclea. It will take place from the 13th-14th of June 2026.


View over Walthamstow Wetlands (Source: LBWF)


Visit: Fellowship Square Sensory Garden

The new Sensory Garden behind the Town Hall is designed to be a calm space, enjoyed through the senses of sight, smell, sound and touch. Since opening in 2024, we've worked with partners to host visits for schoolchildren to learn and explore nature, biodiversity, and sustainability in construction.

In October 2024, Waltham Forest’s Hive (formally Suntrap Forest Centre) environmental education hub worked with Countryside Partnerships to host eight visits with pupils from Henry Maynard Primary School in Walthamstow attended by over 250 young people.

A further visit to the Sensory Garden took place in April 2025 and was attended by 120 students from Woodside Primary Academy. Last year, a new drinking water fountain for both humans and dogs was installed near the Sensory Garden on edge of Chestnuts Field as part of the improvements.


Sensory Garden at Fellowship Square, Walthamstow (Source: LBWF)

Get involved in citizen science

Citizen science is the participation of the general public in scientific research, where volunteers collaborate with professional scientists to collect, analyze, or interpret data, often about the natural environment. It enables more people to contribute to research into biodiversity, climate, and environmental issues.

Greenspace Information for Greater London (GIGL) is London's official environmental records centre, operating as a community interest company (CIC). It collates data on London’s natural environment, including species records, wildlife habitats, open spaces and green infrastructure, to inform policy, planning, and conservation. GIGL lead a variety of citizen science surveys in collaboration with organisations such as the London Wildlife Trust. Anyone can contribute, and you can view live survey forms and submit records here.

The Ching Action Group is working with Thames 21 to track the water quality in the Ching as part of a wider London Lea Catchment Partnership programme. You can view current issues or report a problem here. Thames Water are asking residents to report evidence of pollution in the River Ching. You can report a problem here through the Thames Water website.


Citizen science surveys include recording deer sightings across London (Source: London Wildlife Trust)

Annual events

The RSPB Big Annual Bird Watch is an annual event. All you need to do is spend one hour watching the birds in your garden, local patch, or park, recording the birds that land there. You should then tell the RSPB what you saw, even if that’s nothing at all, by submitting your results online or post.

The 2nd of February is World Wetlands Day, organised by WWT which sees a number of additional events in Walthamstow Wetlands each February.

London in Bloom is a campaign and competition where Boroughs, communities, residents, businesses can work together to improve the environment of London to make a greener, cleaner place to live, work and visit. The event happens throughout the year, with judging for competitions taking place during the summer months.

E17 Open Gardens is a community event in Walthamstow where local residents open their private or communal gardens to the public for a weekend of exploration, inspiration and fundraising, organised by Organiclea. It will take place from the 13th-14th of June 2026.


View over Walthamstow Wetlands (Source: LBWF)


Visit: Fellowship Square Sensory Garden

The new Sensory Garden behind the Town Hall is designed to be a calm space, enjoyed through the senses of sight, smell, sound and touch. Since opening in 2024, we've worked with partners to host visits for schoolchildren to learn and explore nature, biodiversity, and sustainability in construction.

In October 2024, Waltham Forest’s Hive (formally Suntrap Forest Centre) environmental education hub worked with Countryside Partnerships to host eight visits with pupils from Henry Maynard Primary School in Walthamstow attended by over 250 young people.

A further visit to the Sensory Garden took place in April 2025 and was attended by 120 students from Woodside Primary Academy. Last year, a new drinking water fountain for both humans and dogs was installed near the Sensory Garden on edge of Chestnuts Field as part of the improvements.


Sensory Garden at Fellowship Square, Walthamstow (Source: LBWF)