Looking after the environment, looking after people

The Environment Trust has been looking after our natural and built environment since 1984. We started in Richmond and now work also in Kingston and Hounslow; we are developing work in other Boroughs in South West London including Wandsworth.

We have some wonderful parks and open green spaces. There is a large area of private gardens. There is, too, a rich built heritage of listed and other buildings of townscape merit. Together, they help to make this a beautiful place to live and work.

Our local environment is under pressure from urban development and general neglect, resulting in the loss of habitat, species and our built heritage. The impact of these losses is wide spread, not only for the wildlife but also the well-being of the community. The health and well-being benefits of accessible and tended green spaces are well understood. Inappropriate changes to streets and buildings around us reduce a much-loved sense of place. Neglect of both natural and built environments can lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour.

Looking after tomorrow

We do as much as we can but we can’t do everything. Working with and through people is at the heart of everything we do. Providing knowledge and skills is a vital part of creating a real understanding of the challenges and the impact we can have when we tackle them. We work to help communities look after their own little bit for the benefit of all.

We also work to help create the stewards of tomorrow. Concerns about the disengagement of young people with the environment are documented. Our programme aims increasingly to engage young people through linking the work they do in schools with an understanding and practical experience of the local world around them and local issues.

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