Connecting with Nature in Lambeth

Nature, in its broadest sense, is the physical world or universe to which we belong and are part of. But Nature doesn’t have to be something far away, only in woods and nature reserves, experiencing nature can be a daily and easy activity. 

The benefits of connecting with nature are infinite

 How can nature benefit me? 

• improve your mood
• reduce feelings of stress or anger
• help you take time out and feel more relaxed
• improve your physical health
• improve your confidence and self-esteem
• help you be more active
• help you meet and get to know new people
• connect you to your local community

What else would you add to this list?

Keep reading through this resource to help you find local nature spots in Stockwell and Lambeth.

Nature comes in all shapes and sizes and in Lambeth there are many hidden nature spaces to explore. 

Palace Road Nature Garden - a large green environment, with flowers trees and available allotment space!

Eardley Road Sidings is an important nature conservation area located between Streatham Common and Streatham Vale in the south-western corner of Lambeth. 

Bee Urban - Bee Urban is a social enterprise that aims to work with communities to improve the environment for the benefit of us all. They focus on responsible urban beekeeping, horticulture and community growing.

Sunnyhill Nature Garden is a small open space that lies on top of a railway tunnel running between Tulse Hill and Streatham. It is a small yet valuable pocket of natural space in Lambeth, and is managed for both its wildlife interest and as an educational resource for schools and residents. It is currently being restored so watch this space!

Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses and Walled Garden, - a community garden in the centre of Lambeth’s Brockwell Park. This beautiful, large site includes an orchard, a series of demonstration gardens, a walled herb garden and two large greenhouses.

Dulwich Upper Woods, in the Gipsy Hill area, is a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) open 24/7 to members of the public as a perfect oasis in within the concrete jungle.

Station Gardens, at Gipsy Hill Station, has been transformed by the Friends of Gipsy Hill from derelict strip of land to a flourishing habitat for wildlife and a community space. Help to support them by getting involved in the next action day, which are usually held on the 3rd Saturday of the month.

One way to help you experience nature daily, is to create ‘nature spots’ in and around your home. This will enable you to feel the benefits of being immersed in nature more regularly, will attract wildlife and you will also be helping to conserve and protect nature. It can also help you to create your own food!

Here are some tips and tricks to welcome nature into your home.

If you have a garden:

• Create your own compost
• Make fat cakes for birds
• Plant seeds and eat your own produce
• Build your own pond

If you do not have a garden:

• Sprout growing
• Put plants around your home
• Plant seeds indoors
• Grow herbs on the windowsill

What is climate change? 

Read the Met Office’s answer which explains the causes of climate change and how it could affect the UK in the coming years. Also, find out more about climate change in your local area by using their climate change visualisation tool.

Lambeth - a carbon neutral council by 2030!

Lambeth have made a bold commitment to lead by example and reduce their carbon footprint to zero by 2030.

Read Lambeth’s plans here on how they are responding to the climate crisis by making sure the council’s operations are carbon neutral by 2030 and by establishing a Lambeth Citizen's Assembly to build consensus and agree collective action.

Want to get involved with climate change movements and events? Here are some ideas…

• Join Lambeth Friends of the Earth
• WWF projects include sponsoring near extinct species or tracking your carbon footprint
• Join campaigns and marches with Campaign Against Climate Change
• Start your own campaign and use the free resources made available by Climate Action

What is eco-anxiety?

Climate Action explores this term and provides strategies for you to help build self-care, wellbeing and resilience into your daily life.

Imperial College London has come up with 9 great steps that you can start today to help you to reduce the effects of climate change. Check them out here.