A look back at 2022

It’s been a great campaign year for Cool Oak at Brent Reservoir (Welsh Harp). We took this pic of the low winter sun over the east marsh this month and can look back on a string of improvements at this historic but long-neglected London SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest).

After we alerted Natural England in 2021 to falling numbers in key bird species and widespread habitat degradation, reservoir owner Canal and River Trust responded and - after emergency plastics and debris removal from the SSSI marshes - raised over £150,000 in funding for several different initiatives that bore fruit this year.

We have seen self-seeded tree clearance by specialist contractors in March to improve reed habitats; the scanning of the entire reservoir to get up-to-date bathymetric data in advance of possible siltation removal in the marshes; the arrival of four floating ecosystems to encourage an increase in the breeding numbers of one the Welsh Harp’s signature species - the great crested grebe; and in December two further days of plastics and debris removal.

Our campaign has also stimulated a new strategic partnership between Canal and River Trust and the owners of the surrounding green space, Barnet Council and Brent Council. The upshot has been the commissioning of a major new future-facing plan to propose improvements not just for habitat and climate resilience, but for recreational facilities and public involvement at this flagship green space. We are excited by its imminent publication.

We have even re-opened the seemingly closed debate over the proposed pedestrian bridge through sensitive habitat in the north marsh, bringing Natural England chair, Tony Juniper down to see the issue for himself.

For all their involvement this year, we’d like to thank Neil Earnshaw, Richard Parry, Tim Mulligan, Tom Oliver, Gareth Royall and Ros Daniels at Canal and River Trust; the effervescent Friends of the Welsh Harp; Barnet Council’s new biodiversity officer, Harriet Duffield; Thames21, Sian Berry, Tony Juniper, Matthew Frith at LWT; the Welsh Harp Conservation Group, Friends of the Silk Stream, Lewis Elmes and Neale Hider at the EA; Phil at Phoenix Outdoor Centre, Colindale Community Garden, our supporters on the Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee, and all the councillors and green space teams working on the new vision for the Welsh Harp.

Seasonal salute to all 😍 Cool Oak continues to campaign for Brent Reservoir ✊🌿🦢