At Crossness Nature Reserve and Southern Marshes, part of the Erith Marshes in south-east London, we have been working in partnership with Bexley Council to deliver a range of access improvements. As part of the Belvedere and Erith Marshes Links Programme, we are raising the profile of the site and working towards increased visitor numbers. An innovative new stable block has been built, creative seating has been provided, we are addressing signage and waymarkers, and making improvements to the Thames Path which bounds our site to the north.
We are also working in partnership with the local authority on a project known as 'Tideline.' This project has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and is part of the Belvedere Green Links project, illustrating how the local area can be used to inspire teaching and learning. Year 8 students from nearby Trinity School have carried out activities on Crossness Nature Reserve such as pond dipping, mini-beasting and photography. The students have subsequently produced a 'Rough Guide to Erith Marshes' which will be distributed in local libraries. We are also planning a range of partnership events on the marshes including treasure hunts for local schools and health walks for adults.
At Crossness, we have been working closely with the London Wildlife Trust to deliver a range of conservation task days as part of Transport for London's Earn Your Travel Back Scheme. The scheme enables young people who have had their free travel privilege taken away due to bad behaviour, to earn it back by volunteering for environmental conservation work. On Crossness Nature Reserve, adjacent to Crossness Sewage Treatment Works, the youths have been involved with ragwort pulling, reedbed cutting and meadow clearance in order to enhance habitats for wildlife.
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