Community BlueScapes - News and events

Latest news and events taking place as part of the Community BlueScapes project.

Climate and Nature Fair

Come along to our first Climate and Nature Fair at the Lowther Primary School in Barnes. We want to bring together local people of all ages to learn about work being done to prepare the area for the future, share their ideas, take part in family-friendly activities focused on environment and nature, and enjoy free refreshments.

• Date: Saturday 23 March
• Time: 11am to 3pm
• Location: Lowther Primary School, Stillingfleet Road, Barnes, London, SW13 9AE

Join us for:

• Information about the work of the Community BlueScapes project within the Beverley Brook Catchment area (from Richmond Park to north Barnes) and how you can get involved in shaping the future of the area
• All-day activities focused on environment and nature, including children’s storytelling, crafts and a nature discovery table
• Exploring opportunities to become a citizen scientist
• FREE street food and refreshments – as well as prizes and other giveaways on the day

Register to attend the Climate and Nature Fair

We believe that communities have the power to tackle climate change, take on the challenges of extreme weather like flooding and create neighbourhoods that are great for local people and wildlife. Local people know their area best. The more we work and plan together, the more we can achieve for our residents, our neighbourhoods and our environment.

Letters to tomorrow

The future of our borough is not yet written. And you can write it.

Ever wanted to write a manifesto for government? Perhaps you have hopes and dreams for what the future will look like? What should the future know about now? We have the opportunity to take action, tackle the climate crisis and make our places more enjoyable to live in.

It is your chance to publicly declare your intentions, motives, and views on what is important to you and what action you want to see on a local and national scale.

Submit your letter online

You can submit your letter online accompanied by a photo of something from the area you live that you want to still be there in 100 years time.

We recommend you type your letter into a separate document first, and then copy into the form. This means that you will not lose your work if the form times out.

Submit your letter

New reedbeds for Barnes Common

Community BlueScapes is creating two new reedbeds in Barnes Common to reduce flood risk and create more diverse habitat for wildlife.

The benefits of reedbeds

Reedbeds are great natural filters, removing pollutants whilst oxygenating water. They drain and store water during flood events, slowing the movement of the water from the land into the brook, which reduces flood risk in the surrounding area. And they are brilliant biodiversity magnets. The existing reedbed on Barnes Common is already home to the lyrical and protected Cetti’s Warbler.

The new reedbeds will be close to the existing reedbed in the meadow across the bridge form Barnes Green.

Installation

We expect to begin work in summer 2024. To keep everyone safe the areas we will be working in will be fenced off during the work. Vehicles will be moving across the meadow and footpath, and banksmen will help control their movement and the safety of people using the common and their dogs, in order to minimise disruption.