Local primary school pupils taking part in Tiny Forest planting at Normand Park
Our Tiny Forests are growing! Two more are set to be planted soon in Fulham’s Normand Park and Eel Brook Common.
Each Tiny Forest will feature around 600 native trees and shrubs, with species chosen based on each site’s soil, desired canopy heights and benefits to wildlife.
Hammersmith & Fulham was the first borough in London to plant a Tiny Forest. In March 2021 we partnered with environmental charity Earthwatch Europe, local drinks business Fever-Tree and residents to plant 600 trees and shrubs in Hammersmith Park.
“Each Tiny Forest planted not only helps us meet our carbon net zero goal by 2030, but also ensures cleaner air and safer habitats for local wildlife,” said Cllr Wesley Harcourt, H&F Cabinet Member for Environment.
The woodland is approximately the size of a tennis court and will grow quickly without chemicals or fertilisers, providing a rich habitat for wildlife. It is hoped that over 500 different animal and plant species will be attracted to the site within its first three years.
Louise Hartley, Tiny Forest Programme Manager at Earthwatch, said: “Tiny Forest provides rich opportunities for connecting local communities with the environment and sustainability, and we are delighted to bring these inspiring spaces to Hammersmith & Fulham and create a Tiny Forest network that can have a real impact on the area.”
To find out what species were planted in Hammersmith Park’s Tiny Forest, visit the Earthwatch Hammersmith Park page.
You can read more about the benefits of Tiny Forests here on the Earthwatch website.
Normand Park
The Tiny Forest in Fulham’s Normand Park will repurpose the area of the former bowling green.
The forest has been made possible through a generous donation from Shamita Ray, 52, a local yoga and dance teacher who has lived in Hammersmith for 30 years.
“You can’t really go wrong with trees, it’s so pleasant to be within them,” said Shamita, who donated in memory of her parents.
Hear more about Shamita’s motivations for funding the forest.
Shamita joined us for planting day (1 March) where primary school pupils from Fulham Prep and Sir John Lillie planted 400 trees. The last 200 were planted by local residents who wanted to take part, including employees of SOBUS, People Arise Now, Fulham Climate Hub and the Friends of Margravine Cemetery.
“I’d like to thank Shamita’s generosity in supporting our fight against climate change,” added Cllr Harcourt. “Tiny Forests are one of the ways we’re fighting climate change across the borough, and every tree planted helps.”
Eel Brook Common
A third Tiny Forest is planned to be planted later this year in Fulham’s Eel Brook Common. Assessments are still underway to help determine the best location for the forest.
Climate emergency
In June 2019, H&F Council declared a climate and ecological emergency.
We’ve set the goal to reach net zero carbon emissions in the borough by 2030, and to become the greenest borough in the country.
We’re taking big steps to meet these goals and in January were rated the top council in London for climate change plans by the not-for-profit organisation Climate Emergency UK.
Earthwatch Europe
Earthwatch is an environmental science charity with science at its heart. It’s focused on supporting the fight against climate change and does this by working to:
- connecting people with the natural world
- monitoring the health of our natural resources
- informing the actions that will have the greatest positive impact.
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