Issue 2 A wildlife Haven on a Groundhog Roof Spring 2007 A wildflower meadow was established There are 3 basic types of Green on the roof of the ‘groundhog’ storage Roofs; Extensive, Semi-extensive, container, situated close to the park and Intensive that vary in types of keeper’s office, in plants, depth of growing medium with the help and guidance of green roof and amount and kind of maintenance expert Dusty Gedge. required. With Extensive roofs being the most lightweight, easily Green Roofs are highly beneficial in maintained and can only support a many ways; they are wildlife havens for small range of vegetation. Most roofs birds, bats, butterflies, moths, other are suitable for greening such as on invertebrates, mosses and lichens. They factories, buildings, housing increase the roof’s insulation making it developments and even sheds, cool in summer and warm in winter and garages, porches, balconies and small they reduce the likelihood of floods and extensions. The roofs don’t have to effects of ultraviolet rays thereby be flat they can be pitched, barrel or prolonging the life of the roof. Green domed roofs except for very steep Roofs also have an aesthetic purpose that roofs which are clearly unsuitable. can be enjoyed from overlooking windows, decrease air and noise pollution, and reduce the ‘urban heat For more information on Green Roofs island’ effect. visit http://www.livingroofs.org

Before : Looking barren and dull After : Wildflower meadow coming soon Sydenham Wells Sensory Sensation Treat yourself by visiting the new Sensory Garden in . A wide range of vibrant and colourful plants have been planted in the garden that stimulate all the 5 senses. The garden is in the final stages of completion and is awaiting the installation of a water feature in the curved brick area, some final touches on the paths and the addition of a raised bed that will increase the garden’s inclusiveness. The water feature, GLENDALE MANAGED SERVICES which will be a large rock with recycled water trickling over it, symbolises the underground springs present in Sydenham Wells Park and will be powered by solar energy through a solar panel erected in the gardens. A black metal seat that was purchased through joint funding from Christian Aid, Glendale and Council now encircles the tree in the Sensory Garden. Many helping hands have been involved in this project mainly Glendale’s Ground Staff and the Green Gym volunteers.

Sydenham Wells Park now boasts the largest sensory garden in the Borough of Lewisham and an interactive, relaxing and enjoyable experience for all park users. GREEN SPIRIT Get going with Green Gym and Glendale

You have no excuses now! Come out Date Location Activity and enjoy working in Lewisham’s parks and nature reserves on various 5th October Hilly Fields Park The nature reserve fence was painted. conservation projects in the warm th and gorgeous weather. 12 October Meadow and scrub was cut and cleared from the river bank and southern mound. 26 th October The Quaggy river was cleared and Meadows adjacent meadows were cut. 15 th November Sydenham Wells Reeds were cleared from the waterfall Park ponds, floating pennywort was removed Captionfrom describing the picture reserve or graphic. pond and bramble was removed from the nature reserve. 20 th November Forster Memorial Chestnut paling fencing of the ancient Park woodland was continued and Log seating area in Bellingham Green snowberry and bramble were removed from the ancient woodland. A British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) Green Gym 20 th July Hilly Fields Painting of the nature reserve fence was session is around three hours long continued. between 11 am and 2 pm: 27 th November Bellingham Green A log seating area was built for the under 5's play club and a stag beetle 1. It starts with a warm up, which is loggery was erected in the meadow area. conducted by the Green Gym th project officer. 7 December Forster Memorial More snowberry and bramble were Park removed from the ancient woodland and 2. A tool talk and description of the English bluebells were planted inside work is explained. the fenced woodland. 11 th December Fields Arisings were cleared, bramble and 3. Conservation or gardening sycamores were dug out and native projects, which range from snowdrops and English bluebells were painting fences to clearing rivers planted in the reserve. and ponds are commenced and th ongoing support and guidance is 15 January Sydenham Wells More work was done on the path in the Park nature reserve, general clearance and provided. The session is soil was levelled out in the sensory interrupted by a relaxing tea and garden. biscuit break in the park or nature th reserve. 18 January Brookmill Park Willow on the riverbank was coppiced and scrub was cleared in the meadow. 4. The day ends with a cool down and 15 th February Hilly Fields Painting was commenced on the nature big thank you for all the hard work reserve fence and a wooden bench was that has been done. installed infront of the play area. The sessions are free and work is nd done at the volunteer’s own pace. The 22 February Chinbrook Willow on the riverbank was coppiced. sessions are extremely beneficial for Meadows the environment and wildlife and 5th March Forster Memorial Chestnut paling fencing of the ancient also improve physical health, increase Park woodland was continued and fitness, alleviate stress through th snowberry, bramble, laurel and 12 March Forster Memorial rhododendron were removed from the working in green spaces, boost self- Park esteem and confidence through ancient woodland. learning new skills and completing 15 th March Telegraph Hill Park The ponds were cleared from the new tasks. Studies show that ‘ Almost a blanket weed algae. third more calories can be burnt in an hour of some Green Gym activities than in doing a step aerobics class. ’ To book for one of the day projects, please call Jess Rushton, Lewisham Just more and more reasons to join! Green Gym project Officer, on 020 8692 9369 or 077 4089 9614 .

Page 2 GREEN SPIRIT Explore the Urban Jungle update Glendale has conducted various environmental environmental studies and sporting activities such as education and practical conservation sessions with Tag Rugby, which would be instructed by our sports primary schools in Lewisham in the last six months development officer Paul Harper. All the sessions are such as habitat studies with St. John Baptist, Tree free of charge. studies with Baring, Litter class with St. Saviour, and Some of the exciting and informative sessions that we planting native bulbs with primary offer are pond dipping, building bird/bat boxes, soil school in . Other sessions have been studies, habitat studies, food chain studies, life cycle organised with secondary schools and nurseries such studies, mini-beast hunts, tree trails, nature walks, as building 40 bird and bat boxes with Bonus Pastor conservation work (e.g. planting, vegetation clearance, Secondary School that were placed by Glendale fencing), litter picking, paper recycling and pollution maintenance staff in the Woodland Walk. studies. The sessions can be run in the parks or in the Also placing Christmas decorations and bird and bat school grounds. Please contact Lara Al-Jabi, the Nature boxes with nursery children on a enormous oak tree Conservation Officer on the contact details provided on in , and clearing and de-silting a wildlife page 6 to organize and book a session. pond in Chelwood Nursery. More se