All posts by Colin

September 2024 Conservation task

Essex Filler Beds Lea bridge Road Leyton

On Sunday 1st September 2024, LBCV will be doing a nature conservation task in thw Waterworks Nature Reserve, off Lea Bridge Road, London E10. The task is to help prepare the reed beds for winter migrating birds.

All(18+) are welcome to join us and no experience is required. Please meet us at the Waterworks Centre so we can provide enough tools. If You are curious about what happens on a LBCV task, one of our regular volunteers did the following live video on the October 2020 task

Please wear appropriate clothing which is long sleeves and trousers and wear stout footwear, PLEASE NO SHORTS as we are possibly handling hazardous plants. We will be working in an area with nettles and brambles, so closed shoes/boots and long trousers and sleeves would be safest.

Subscribe to our task reminder email about our monthly first Sunday volunteer tasks !

Please check your spam folder for the confirmation email.

October 2024 Nature Conservation Task

Walthamstow Marshes Ditch
Walthamstow Marshes Ditch

Sunday 1st September 2024                   

Walthamstow Marshes Reedmace removal in ditches

On Sunday 6th October2024, LBCV will be alongside the ditches on Walthamstow Marshes to remove willow in this SSSI Nature Reserve. To join us, meet at the Waterworks Centre, Lammas Road from 9:30am – 10am.  Conservation Task Details The aim of the task is to remove some reedmace by either pulling the rhizomes or cutting below the water level to drown it. This will provide open water areas for dragonflies to hunt. While doing the task we need to cautious as the ditch contains the invasive azolla, mosquito fern, duckweed fern and we must take precautions to stop it spread to other parts of the ditch and nearby waterbodies.  We will work around any nesting birds. The photos show a moorehen nest with 5 eggs and the moorhen sitting back on the nest as we packed away in 2021 Water Voles – Full Legal Protection In England & Wales Water voles were given full legal protection in England & Wales on the 6th April 2008 by provisions under section 9 of Schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Schedule 5 of this Act makes it an offence to intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure or place that a water vole uses for shelter or protection. It is also an offence to disturb, kill or injure a water vole or handle a water vole without a licence. (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981). Disturbing or harming a water vole, damaging its habitat or destroying or blocking water vole burrows could lead to prosecution. Offences carry a maximum penalty of £5,000.

Everybody is welcome to volunteer with LBCV. No  experience is required. Please wear sturdy footwear and appropriate clothing for the work and weather – please wear sunscreen some will be available in the welfare bucket. Waders will be provided for those working in the ditch, We will be working with brambles close to  nettles and with sharp tools. We only do tasks on the first Sunday of every month so a little bad weather will not stop a task. 
We are out of lockdown but some restrictions still need to apply for LBCV to safely be able to run volunteer tasks in the Lea Valley Park, with the restrictions below.
If you are ill, feel ill or have been in contact with somebody who is self-isolating please do not volunteer.
Please take a test if you are not sure.
Please wash your hands before the task in warm water or hand sanitiser.
Use gloves when handling all tools, touching gates or other items in the park
Wash your hands before eating or drinking in warm water or hand sanitiser
LBCV can supply  wellington boots to work in, please arrive in plenty of time at the Waterworks, to select your pair.
LBCV will provide tools, training, gloves, coffee, tea and biscuits. Please bring some lunch and water.
Please arrive from 9:30am onwards at the Waterworks Centre Lammas Road, off Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, London E10 7QT, for a 10am departure to collect tools and gloves. The meeting place is by the bike racks in front of The Waterworks Centre. If you use what three words ///guises.manage.entry is the location.
Please lock bicycles to the stands in front of the Waterworks Centre. There is ample free car parking. Dogs are not allowed in the Nature Reserve so please do not cross the bridge with dogs or ride bicycles in the nature reserve. Dogs are still welcome on some tasks, including this one, as we are in an open nature reserve.
We should be finished by 4pm
Volunteering and doing a conservation task with LBCV in North East London, is great way to meet new people, learn new skills, use old skills, be more active, get closer to nature, make a difference and have some fun with like-minded people in the Lea Valley Regional Park.

August 2024 Conservation Task

Walthamstow Marshes Ditch
Walthamstow Marshes Ditch

Sunday 4th August                   

Walthamstow Marshes Reedmace removal in ditches

On Sunday 4th  August 2024, LBCV will be in the ditches on Walthamstow Marshes to remove reedmace to open up this waterway for dragonflies and the watervole communities in this SSSI Nature Reserve. To join us, meet at the Waterworks Centre, Lammas Road from 9:30am – 10am.  Conservation Task Details The aim of the task is to remove some reedmace by either pulling the rhizomes or cutting below the water level to drown it. This will provide open water areas for dragonflies to hunt. While doing the task we need to cautious as the ditch contains the invasive azolla, mosquito fern, duckweed fern and we must take precautions to stop it spread to other parts of the ditch and nearby waterbodies.  We will work around any nesting birds. The photos show a moorehen nest with 5 eggs and the moorhen sitting back on the nest as we packed away in 2021 Water Voles – Full Legal Protection In England & Wales Water voles were given full legal protection in England & Wales on the 6th April 2008 by provisions under section 9 of Schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Schedule 5 of this Act makes it an offence to intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure or place that a water vole uses for shelter or protection. It is also an offence to disturb, kill or injure a water vole or handle a water vole without a licence. (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981). Disturbing or harming a water vole, damaging its habitat or destroying or blocking water vole burrows could lead to prosecution. Offences carry a maximum penalty of £5,000.

Everybody is welcome to volunteer with LBCV. No  experience is required. Please wear sturdy footwear and appropriate clothing for the work and weather – please wear sunscreen some will be available in the welfare bucket. Waders will be provided for those working in the ditch, We will be working with brambles close to  nettles and with sharp tools. We only do tasks on the first Sunday of every month so a little bad weather will not stop a task. 
We are out of lockdown but some restrictions still need to apply for LBCV to safely be able to run volunteer tasks in the Lea Valley Park, with the restrictions below.
If you are ill, feel ill or have been in contact with somebody who is self-isolating please do not volunteer.
Please take a test if you are not sure.
Please wash your hands before the task in warm water or hand sanitiser.
Use gloves when handling all tools, touching gates or other items in the park
Wash your hands before eating or drinking in warm water or hand sanitiser
LBCV can supply  wellington boots to work in, please arrive in plenty of time at the Waterworks, to select your pair.
LBCV will provide tools, training, gloves, coffee, tea and biscuits. Please bring some lunch and water.
Please arrive from 9:30am onwards at the Waterworks Centre Lammas Road, off Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, London E10 7QT, for a 10am departure to collect tools and gloves. The meeting place is by the bike racks in front of The Waterworks Centre. If you use what three words ///guises.manage.entry is the location.
Please lock bicycles to the stands in front of the Waterworks Centre. There is ample free car parking. Dogs are not allowed in the Nature Reserve so please do not cross the bridge with dogs or ride bicycles in the nature reserve. Dogs are still welcome on some tasks, including this one, as we are in an open nature reserve.
We should be finished by 4pm
Volunteering and doing a conservation task with LBCV in North East London, is great way to meet new people, learn new skills, use old skills, be more active, get closer to nature, make a difference and have some fun with like-minded people in the Lea Valley Regional Park.
Moorhen eggs Ditch Walthamstow Marshes

July 2024 Nature Conservation Task

The next nature conservation task is on Sunday 7th July 2024, at the Waterworks Nature Reserve, off Lea Bridge Road, and will involve working in the newly planted raised beds in the wildlife garden area, doing some prep work for next winter’s dead hedging and a little cutting back to make the non public paths usable.

Recent bird sightings at the nature reserve have included the scare night heron. The beds’ water levels are being kept low while the 7 cygnets mature, to prevent their nest flooding.

All are welcome to join us and no experience is required. If You are curious about what happens on a LBCV task, one of our regular volunteers did the following live video on the October 2020 task

Please wear appropriate clothing which is long sleeves and trousers with stout footwear for the task and weather. We will be working in an area with bramble and nettles, so closed shoes/boots and long trousers and sleeves would be best.

LBCV can supply wellington boots to work in, please arrive in plenty of time at the Waterworks, to select your pair, a second pair of socks will add to your comfort.

LBCV will provide tools, training, gloves, coffee, tea and biscuits. Please bring some lunch and water.

Please arrive from 9:30am onwards at the Waterworks Centre Lammas Road, off Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, London E10 7QT, for a 10am departure to collect tools and gloves. The meeting place is by the bike racks in front of the Waterworks Centre, across from the former Greyhound Public House on Lea Bridge Road. If you use what three words ///guises.manage.entry is the location.

Please lock bicycles to the stands in front of the Waterworks Centre. There is ample free car parking. Dogs are not allowed in the Nature Reserve so please do not cross the bridge with dogs or ride bicycles in the nature reserve. Dogs are still welcome on some tasks, but not this one, as we are in an enclosed nature reserve.

We should be finished by 4pm.

Volunteering and doing a conservation task with LBCV in North East London, is great way to meet new people, learn new skills, use old skills, be more active, get closer to nature, make a difference and have some fun with like-minded people in the Lea Valley Regional Park.

June 2024 Nature Conservation Task

Walthamstow Marshes Nature Reserve Sign SSSI
Walthamstow Marshes Nature Reserve Sign SSSI

On Sunday 2nd June 2024 Lea Bridge Conservation Volunteers will be removing invasive species from Walthamstow Marshes.

Subscribe to our task reminder email for an updated task description, after the site visit. Check spam/junk folder for the confirmation email.

October 2021 After lunch Rainbow
Post lunch rainbow October 2021 Task

Volunteering and doing a conservation task with LBCV in North East London, is great way to meet new people, learn new skills, use old skills, be more active, get closer to nature, make a difference and have some fun with like-minded people in the Lea Valley Regional Park.

May 2024 Nature Conservation Task

On Sunday 5th May 2024, Lea Bridge Conservation Volunteers will be doing a nature conservation task in the Waterworks Nature Reserve. The task will involve removing light vegetation from a shingle bank to create an invertebrate and reptile basking area. Why are we creating a basking area ? Well many species of bee, solitary wasp, spider and beetle are dependent on bare ground to hunt and nest because these areas provide the necessary warm micro-climate and easy tunnelling. However, bare ground does not remain bare for a long time as vegetation colonises and soon the bare ground is lost. The shingle bank created from the spoils of the recent ponds created an open bare ground. on the filter bed wall.  

Subscribe to LBCV’s task reminder email

No experience is needed. No forms to complete. Just turn up ! LBCV will provide the training and tools along with the tea, coffee and biscuits. Bring your own packed lunch and water. Volunteers should wear sturdy footwear and appropriate clothing for the task and weather.
Everybody is welcome to volunteer with LBCV. No  experience is required. Please wear sturdy footwear and appropriate clothing for the work and weather. We will be working amongst brambles, thistles and nettles and sharp tools. 
We are out of lockdown but some restrictions still need to apply for LBCV to safely be able to run volunteer tasks in the Lea Valley Park, with the restrictions below.
If you are ill, feel ill or have been in contact with somebody who is self-isolating please do not volunteer
Cleanse your hands before eating or drinking.
LBCV can supply  wellington boots to work in, please arrive in plenty of time to select your pair.
LBCV will provide tools, training, gloves, coffee, tea and biscuits. Please bring some lunch and water.
Please arrive from 9:30am onwards at the Waterworks Centre Lammas Road, off Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, London E10 7QT, for a 10am departure to collect tools and gloves. The meeting place is by the bike racks in front of the Waterworks Centre, across from the former Greyhound Public House on Lea Bridge Road. If you use what three words ///guises.manage.entry is the location.
Please lock bicycles to the stands in front of the Waterworks Centre. There is ample free car parking. Dogs are not allowed in the Nature Reserve so please do not cross the bridge with dogs or ride bicycles in the nature reserve. Dogs are welcome on some tasks, but not this one.
We should be finished by 4pm and as it is a Bank Holiday week we will be heading to Blondies Tap Room for post task refreshments. 
Volunteering and doing a conservation task with LBCV in North East London, is great way to meet new people, learn new skills, use old skills, be more active, get closer to nature, make a difference and have some fun with like-minded people in the Lea Valley Regional Park.

April 2024 Nature Conservation Task #2

###UPDATE 6th April 2024

The scrape is too wet to be worked in so the task has changed to bed wall clearance at the Waterworks Nature Reserve ####

On Sunday 7th April 2024 LBCV is due to be working in the scrape on Walthamstow Marshes. This task will aid the Creeping Marshwort Helosciaidum repens. This location in Walthamstow Marshes Nature Reserve is one of only three in the UK that Creeping Marshwort can be found. Creeping Marshwort is currently listed as Endangered in the Red Data Book for Great Britain. Threats include habitat loss, loss of grazing and lack of management.

It that time of the year so cakes are always welcome !

All(18+) are welcome to join us and no experience is required. Please meet us at the Waterworks Centre so we can provide enough tools. If You are curious about what happens on a LBCV task, one of our regular volunteers did the following live video on the October 2020 task

Please wear appropriate clothing which is long sleeves and trousers and wear stout footwear, PLEASE NO SHORTS as we are possibly handling very hazardous plants. We will be working in an area with nettles and brambles, so closed shoes/boots and long trousers and sleeves would be safest.

LBCV Volunteers on Walthamstow Marshes with a rainbow

Working on the Marshes with a rainbow in the background


Join Us
Everybody(18+) is welcome to volunteer with LBCV. No experience is required. Please wear sturdy waterproof footwear and appropriate clothing for the work and weather. We will possibly be working in an area with brambles and nettles and as well as suing sharp heavy tools.


LBCV can supply wellington boots to work in, please arrive in plenty of time at the Waterworks, to select your pair. An extra pair of socks will provide protect from blisters.

LBCV will provide tools, training, gloves, coffee, tea and biscuits. Please bring some lunch and water.

Please arrive from 9:30am onwards at the Waterworks Centre Lammas Road, off Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, London E10 7QT, for a 10am departure to collect tools and gloves. The meeting place is by the bike racks in front of the Waterworks Centre, across from the former Greyhound Public House on Lea Bridge Road. If you use what three words ///guises.manage.entry is the location.

Please lock bicycles to the stands in front of the Waterworks Centre. There is ample free car parking. Dogs are not allowed in the Nature Reserve so please do not cross the bridge with dogs or ride bicycles in the nature reserve. Dogs are still welcome on some tasks, inclusing this one, as we are in an open nature reserve.

We should be finished by 4.30pm

Volunteering and doing a conservation task with LBCV in North East London, is great way to meet new people, learn new skills, use old skills, be more active, get closer to nature, make a difference and have some fun with like-minded people in the Lea Valley Regional Park.

April 2024 Nature Conservation Task

###UPDATE 6th April 2024

The scrape is too wet to be worked in so the task has changed to bed wall clearance at the Waterworks Nature Reserve ####

On Sunday 7th April 2024 LBCV is due to be working in the scrape on Walthamstow Marshes. This task will aid the Creeping Marshwort Helosciaidum repens. This location in Walthamstow Marshes Nature Reserve is one of only three in the UK that Creeping Marshwort can be found. Creeping Marshwort is currently listed as Endangered in the Red Data Book for Great Britain. Threats include habitat loss, loss of grazing and lack of management.

It that time of the year so cakes are always welcome !

All(18+) are welcome to join us and no experience is required. Please meet us at the Waterworks Centre so we can provide enough tools. If You are curious about what happens on a LBCV task, one of our regular volunteers did the following live video on the October 2020 task

Please wear appropriate clothing which is long sleeves and trousers and wear stout footwear, PLEASE NO SHORTS as we are possibly handling very hazardous plants. We will be working in an area with nettles and brambles, so closed shoes/boots and long trousers and sleeves would be safest.

LBCV Volunteers on Walthamstow Marshes with a rainbow

Working on the Marshes with a rainbow in the background


Join Us
Everybody(18+) is welcome to volunteer with LBCV. No experience is required. Please wear sturdy waterproof footwear and appropriate clothing for the work and weather. We will possibly be working in an area with brambles and nettles and as well as suing sharp heavy tools.


LBCV can supply wellington boots to work in, please arrive in plenty of time at the Waterworks, to select your pair. An extra pair of socks will provide protect from blisters.

LBCV will provide tools, training, gloves, coffee, tea and biscuits. Please bring some lunch and water.

Please arrive from 9:30am onwards at the Waterworks Centre Lammas Road, off Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, London E10 7QT, for a 10am departure to collect tools and gloves. The meeting place is by the bike racks in front of the Waterworks Centre, across from the former Greyhound Public House on Lea Bridge Road. If you use what three words ///guises.manage.entry is the location.

Please lock bicycles to the stands in front of the Waterworks Centre. There is ample free car parking. Dogs are not allowed in the Nature Reserve so please do not cross the bridge with dogs or ride bicycles in the nature reserve. Dogs are still welcome on some tasks, inclusing this one, as we are in an open nature reserve.

We should be finished by 4.30pm

Volunteering and doing a conservation task with LBCV in North East London, is great way to meet new people, learn new skills, use old skills, be more active, get closer to nature, make a difference and have some fun with like-minded people in the Lea Valley Regional Park.

March 2024 Nature Conservation Task

LVRPA sign about ongoing enhanchment project on Ox Bow Island

On Sunday 3rd March 2024, LBCV will be doing a volunteer nature conservation task on Ox Bow Island near Waltamstow Marshes, in North East London We will be creating dead hedges and enhancing the ones already there to control access to the side of the island next to the swans’ nest. Everyone (18+) are welcome to join us, see below for the meeting place.

Swan nest on Ox Bow Lake March 2024
Swan nest on Ox Bow Lake March 2024

Subscribe to our nature conservation task reminder email

Please check your spam/junk folder for the confirmation email, for more details closer to the task date.

Volunteer with us, to do nature conservation!


Everyone(18+) is welcome to volunteer with Lea Bridge Conservation Volunteers on any of our monthly first Sunday nature conservation task in North East London. Simply turn up at the Waterworks Nature Reserve by 10am on the Sunday morning in clothing and footwear suitable for the task and weather. If you use What Three Words ///guises.manage.entry is the location.

Grafitti figure on a tree on Ox Bow Island
Grafitti figure on a tree on Ox Bow Island