Hackney Marshes Rewilding Project Launches This Spring

One of the most ambitious urban rewilding projects in London is set to launch this spring on Hackney Marshes, as the council partners with environmental charities to restore native habitats across 50 acres of marshland along the River Lea.

The Hackney Marshes Rewilding Initiative, a collaboration between Hackney Council, the London Wildlife Trust and the Lea Valley Regional Park Authority, aims to transform sections of the marshes from intensively managed grassland into thriving wildflower meadows, wetland habitats and native woodland.

The project will reintroduce species that have disappeared from the area over the past century, including water voles, kingfishers and several species of dragonfly. A network of new ponds and scrapes — shallow depressions that collect rainwater — will create breeding habitats for amphibians and invertebrates.

"Hackney Marshes is one of East London's great green lungs, but much of it is managed as close-mown grassland that supports very little wildlife," explained Dr Sarah Chen, the project's lead ecologist. "By allowing areas to grow wild and reintroducing native plants, we can dramatically increase biodiversity while creating a richer experience for the thousands of people who use the marshes every week."

The football pitches that have made the marshes famous since the post-war era will not be affected. The rewilding will focus on buffer zones, river margins and underused areas that currently have limited ecological or recreational value.

Community involvement is central to the project. A series of public planting days will begin in late April, inviting residents to help sow wildflower seeds, plant native hedgerows and build bug hotels. Schools across the borough will be offered outdoor ecology sessions as part of the project.

"We want people to feel ownership of this," said Councillor Mete Coban, Hackney's cabinet member for environment. "Rewilding isn't about locking nature away — it's about bringing people closer to it. These marshes belong to everyone in Hackney, and everyone should have a chance to shape their future."

The project is funded through a combination of council reserves, a £1.2 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and private donations. An ongoing monitoring programme will track changes in biodiversity over the next decade.

The first community planting day is scheduled for Saturday 25 April at 10am, meeting at the Marshes Centre. All ages welcome — tools and refreshments provided.

For those wanting to get involved, the project is also recruiting volunteer wardens who will receive training in habitat management and wildlife identification. Applications are open through the Hackney Council website.