Ham Lands Local Nature Reserve
With funding, we can help look after your Local Nature Reserve
Connecting with nature is vital for both physical and mental wellbeing, and we are fortunate in Ham and Petersham to have access to so many green spaces and access to the River Thames. Many of our streets are enhanced by green verges and a wide variety of trees, supported by dedicated groups and individuals who give their time and energy to care for them.
Ham United Group works across several local green spaces including Ham Library Garden, the Grey Court School allotment, Meadlands Primary School and Ham Riverside Lands estate, to strengthen community connections with nature. The largest and most pressing area requiring support is Ham Lands.
Owned and managed by Richmond Council, Ham Lands is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and a Local Nature Reserve. Spanning approximately 180 acres—equivalent to around 100 football pitches—stretching from Ham Street Car Park to Teddington Lock, it includes grassland, reed beds, scrub and woodland, supporting a remarkable diversity of wildlife. Many plant and insect species here are uncommon or rare in London.
This rich variety of habitats reflects the site’s history. Once excavated for sand and gravel, the resulting pits were filled in the 1950s with bomb-damage rubble and soil from across London and South East England, bringing seeds from many different localities. This process helped create the unique landscape seen and enjoyed today. Local residents witnessed this transformation and, in the 1970s, many came together to successfully challenge proposals for further housing development on the land.
Today, climate change presents a serious challenge. Drought tolerant and stressed plant species are increasingly dominating at the expense of other flora and fauna, particularly affecting grassland on Ham Lands South. Changing weather patterns are affecting the timing of natural events, such as when flowers bloom and when pollinators emerge. Last year, some trees came into blossom almost a month early, disrupting species dependent on them. Monitoring these changes holistically is essential to support this vital wildlife corridor.
We urgently need funding to appoint a Nature and Conservation Officer. Working in collaboration with Richmond’s ecology officer, Friends of Ham Lands, Habitats and Heritage Biodiversity Network and Ham United Group, this role will:
- Engage proactively with the local community; interest is growing among local schools, Malden Oaks, Ham Youth Centre and the Ham Close team. Many young people are struggling, and empowering their connection with nature can help strengthen mental health and wellbeing.
- Share information with other local groups that support nature.
- Support guided walks and community projects that strengthen connections with nature and promote mental wellbeing.
- Consolidate biodiversity information, currently held in several different formats.
- Record the location of encroaching plant species.
- Track management interventions and review their effectiveness.
- Support and coordinate volunteers
If you or your organisation are able to support us financially, or know of potential funding sources, please get in touch. Join us in protecting Ham Lands—donate, volunteer, or spread the word today to ensure this precious wildlife haven thrives for generations to come.
Enjoy nature wherever you are,
Sharon Mehta, Friends of Ham Lands
Email: info@hamunitedgroup.org.uk
