Residents can help document wildlife changes across Deptford this bank holiday weekend
Deptford, Lewisham and Greenwich residents are being offered the chance to help document wildlife changes in their area.
The Creekside Discovery Centre has announced a number of exciting events including community wildlife mapping and pond dipping.
The Centre was developed in response to the significant regeneration the area was seeing and a need to protect and nurture our urban habitat.
Since opening in 2002 Creekside have welcomed 50,000 visitors and each year 7,000 people have a chance to wade safely in Deptford Creek, equipped with wading boots, waterproof coats and walking sticks.
The sloping habitat into Deptford Creek is a historical feature of the Tidal Thames with only 2 per cent of the Tidal Thames’ edges remaining natural in London.
In July Creekside was awarded £18k by the Deptford Challenge Trust to help with the centre’s running costs, allowing them to continue hosting events and raising awareness of how important the wild environment is, and the vital role it plays in fighting climate change.
Founder Jill Goddard said: “The Deptford Challenge Trust grant is a life line for our Creekside Discovery Centre – without it we would struggle to keep the doors open to welcome the local community to this amazing urban paradise.
“Our work is about communicating and sharing the conservation and urban habitats that make our spaces greener and our neighbourhood a friend to wildlife.
“It’s vital that we share how we can all be wildlife heroes even in the heart of a city.”
Upcoming events:
- Community Wildlife Mapping project on Saturday August 28
A great bank holiday weekend activity as it’s not weather dependent. This project invites residents to take part in a one day training session at the centre. Participants can be part of a team that will record important data to help build a picture of what’s happening, and how species are responding in Deptford and Greenwich to changes in the environment. The data collected will be fed into a national database to help show how the environment is coping and responding. It’s free to join and there are 20 places – you need to be 14 years and over to take part.
- STEM after school club
The club is split into two separate age groups, 11 -13 years and 14 – 15 years, and is only £10 for three sessions. It’s a hands on learning experience with visits from Tideway staff to talk about their engineering roles and offer insight on career paths for young people thinking about getting into engineering as a career. There are currently dates on September 16 and October 1. - One day river course
This course for people who want to learn more about being safe in a wild river. These are free and take place on September 11 and October 30. - Open day on September 25
The details of this event have not been fully released yet but the day will include a chance to go pond dipping and bug hunting and get onto the river for free with experienced guides.
You can donate to Creekside here: https://www.creeksidecentre.org.uk/donate/
www.creeksidecentre.org.uk/
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