The Lost Effra Project,

“Schemes like this bring together local communities and, by education and demonstration, show people what can be done to improve rainwater drainage and increase wildlife. I was inspired to depave my own front garden!” – Emily Montague, resident

The story so far How has it helped people?

Throughout the catchment of the ‘lost’ River Effra,  Local people have been given the skills and an area that has a history of flooding, knowledge to create their own rain gardens Wildlife Trust has been working closely with local and small green roofs DURING – Community members planting rain gardens on a pedestrian traffic island in Herne Hill people to create gardens that are both practical  Unloved and underused local spaces have ©London Wildlife Trust and beautiful. These wildlife-rich gardens soak up been transformed into attractive gardens rainwater, making the area more resilient to  Local people now have opportunities to get flooding while improving neighbourhoods for involved in urban gardening projects, wildlife and enabling people to take action in their increasing access to nature for diverse own gardens and community spaces. communities in

The area has been made more resilient by: How does it protect against flooding?

 Building six living roofs designed for wildlife By soaking up rainwater, the gardens reduce  Removing seven areas of hard paving and pressure on the Victorian sewer network that can creating free draining gardens in their place be inundated in times of heavy rain. The project AFTER – Volunteers at the green roof group build workshop at Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses,  Creating three rain gardens from downpipes promotes household-scale actions in an and one to capture runoff from roads where participants learn about green roofs through accessible and appealing way to encourage practical experience ©London Wildlife Trust  Involving more than 1,000 local people Londoners to make small scale changes.

How has it helped wildlife? Partnership organisations

 More than 900m² high-value wildlife London Wildlife Trust, London Borough of gardens and green roofs have been created Lambeth, Thames Water,  Each garden design supports urban wildlife - Authority, many local community groups and bees, butterflies, birds, moths and bats associations. Nearest Station: Herne Hill/