Planted & Enchanted
This year, all of our trees will be adopted back into the local community, giving them new life beyond Christmas!
Where are the trees going?
Islington Forest for Change
Islington Clean Air Parents (ICAP) is a community group campaigning to protect the health of children in the borough from toxic air pollution. This summer as part of the London Design Biennial’s Forest for Change installation, Somerset House became host to 200 trees, which ICAP successfully crowdfunded to permanently rehome. This community collaboration demonstrates how trees address climate change, reduce air pollution, increase greenery and boost physical and mental wellness.
Photo: Somerset House / Kevin Meredith
Hugh Myddelton Primary School
We’re living in a time when artificial turf, rubber crumb and tarmac are the surfaces of choice for school play areas. Whilst this is a practical solution to the need for low-maintenance playgrounds, the environmental impact is – in the long term – indefensible. Hugh Myddelton is bucking the trend by planting a diverse range of real hedgerow plants around the Spa Green Nursery, to provide year-round wildlife habitats and a dense air pollution barrier between the play areas and the local roads.
King Square Gardens
Just south of the Angel Islington, King Square Gardens is designated as a Site of Local Importance to Nature Conservation. Recently redeveloped as part of a council strategy to help children live healthy, active and independent lives, the park includes a children’s play area with a large sand pit, interactive water play feature, and accessible children’s toilets.
Culpeper Community Garden
A green oasis in the midst of streets, estates and inner city bustle, Culpeper Community Garden is one of the most valued green public spaces in Islington. Culpeper is a beautiful public open space which is both a city park and an environmental community project. Managed by and for local people, it is an award winning project where people from all walks of life come together to appreciate and enhance their environment.