A project to protect Southwark’s last ancient woodland has been launched.
Hundreds of metres of pathway in Dulwich’s Sydenham Hill Wood are set to be restored in a bid to protect its abundance of wildlife and plants.
London Wildlife Trust, who are behind the project, said soaring visitor numbers as a result of the 2020 lockdown had taken its toll on the woodland.
They saw restoring the wood’s 300 metre-pathway as vital to help keep walkers away from sensitive ground flora and undisturbed areas on which wildlife, such as nesting birds and hedgehogs, rely.
The trust needs to raise at least £50,000 between 22 – 29 April to fund the protection of this special ten-hectare woodland near Norwood Ridge.
“Much loved by the local community, Sydenham Hill Wood is in need of your support,” said Leah McNally, director of learning, youth and communities at the London Wildlife Trust.
“There has been a huge increase in visitors since the pandemic – we need your help to replace paths and to protect nature.”
The Dulwich Society and The Big Give are both supporting this project.
Together they will match donations up to a total of £10,000, as part of the Big Give’s Green Match Fund, which is a match funding campaign for charities working to tackle environmental issues.
“The Dulwich Society is delighted to support the London Wildlife Trust in their fundraising efforts and encourages local residents to get behind the team who keep the woods so beautiful for us all to enjoy,” said James Thompson, chairman of the Dulwich Society.
In a statement, the Dulwich Society added: “It’s fantastic that so many more people are using Sydenham Hill Woods, but that can’t come at a cost to its flora and fauna.”
Since 2019, there has been an 81 per cent increase in the number of visitors to the woodland, according to the London Wildlife Trust. Improved footpaths will provide better access around the site and accommodate the growing numbers of visitors they say.
Recent restoration efforts on 150 metres of pathway in the wood cost £18,000.
Sydenham Hill Wood, which has been managed by the London Wildlife Trust since the 1980s, is the largest surviving tract of the ancient Great North Wood, which once stretched from Croydon to Deptford.
It is one of the closest ancient woodlands to central London, and is home to more than 200 species of trees and flowering plants.
Donations to preserve this natural rarity open at 12.00 p.m. on 22 April and close at 12.00 p.m. one week later on 29 April.
Each donation made during this time will be doubled by the Dulwich Society and the Big Give.
If you would like to find out more about Sydenham Hill Wood and the works they are raising funds for, London Wildlife Trust’s Conservation Officer, Sam Taylor will be leading two guided walks on Tuesday 26th April from 11-12 and 2-3 p.m.
To join the walk, please meet Sam at Crescent Wood Road entrance opposite Countisbury House, there is no need to book.
Donations can be made at here: https://donate.thebiggive.org.uk/campaign/a056900002D1HU6AAN
For further info on the walk can be found here: https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/events/2022-04-26-come-and-see-sydenham-hill-wood-needs-your-help-0