Tree-mendous news as Haringey scoops major award

A programme to safeguard Haringey’s ancient woodlands has scooped one of the top honours at this year’s London Tree and Woodland Awards. 

Last night (27 November 2023), Deputy Leader Cllr Mike Hakata joined officers and volunteers to pick up the Community Woodland Award at a Mayor of London-supported ceremony at City Hall organised by the Forestry Commission. 

The awards, billed as the #TreeOscars, celebrate the work of individuals, communities and professionals to protect, improve and expand the capital’s tree and woodland cover.

Haringey Council’s Ancient Woodland Project is helping to preserve and restore Bluebell Wood, Coldfall Wood and Queen’s Wood, working alongside Friends’ groups, Woodland Trust and The Conservation Volunteers (TCV).

The co-produced programme of improvements has included an extensive survey on the conditions of the woods to deliver an ambitious, long-term plan to protect habitats, enhance biodiversity and increase resilience to climate change.

Cllr Mike Hakata, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment and Transport said:

Our ancient woodlands are irreplaceable and precious places, and I’m delighted that the hard work, dedication and passion of our conservation team, partners, residents and volunteers on our restoration programme has been recognised with this award.

It’s incredible that we can boast having three such woodlands in Haringey, and it’s vital they are managed to ensure they can continue to be enjoyed by future generations.  

With only 2% of Britain remaining as ancient woodland our project is helping ensure that the unique ecology of Haringey's ancient woods is safeguarded.

The Ancient Woodland Project has been made possible thanks to a successful bid to the Rewild London Fund, which is supported by the Mayor of London in partnership with the London Wildlife Trust.
 
For more information on Haringey’s ancient woodlands, visit our website.