Name: The Conservation Volunteers - Little Park Planting for Water Voles
Start: 2026-04-16T10:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-04-16T16:00:00+01:00
Location: Crane Park - Little Park

The Conservation Volunteers - Little Park Planting for Water Voles

An activity with TCV's Biodiversity Action Team West. We will be planting a newly cleared stream bank in Little Park, TW4 5NY.
About this Event

We will be planting our newly cleared stream bank in Little Park to improve habitat for the endangered water vole. The project is being managed by Zoological Society of London on behalf of the Crane Valley Partnership, on land which is owned and managed by Richmond Council.

Water voles need well vegetated banks for food, and predator avoidance. Overshading is the principle reason for lack of vegetated banks in this stretch of Mill Stream. Earlier this year, sections of bank were cleared of larger trees and bramble scrub and will now be planted up with native marshland species.

Wear clothes you are happy getting muddy in - or bring a spare outer layer for the end of the day. If you have wellies, we do recommend wearing them at this site (a stock will also be available on the day). We will provide waders and gloves. If you have smaller feet, I would recommend bringing an extra thick pair of socks as the smallest wader size we have available is a 7.

Land-loving volunteers are also vital for planting along the tops of banks, helping to move and distribute plants around the site, and litter picking.

Please come with lots of energy, we will have ~1000 plant plugs to move into the site and get in the ground!

We will meet in the overflow carpark of South West Middlesex Crematorium. Look out for the TCV van.

What3words meeting point:///spill.fired.corn

What3words site location (for those coming later than 10am): ///traps.flown.fell

Please bring:

packed lunch & water
suitable outdoor clothes (that will keep you warm & dry the whole day)
hat & sunblock
suitable outdoor footwear (it can be muddy in places), wellies are recommended
clothes you don't mind getting muddy in, or an outer shell you can change at day's end

We provide hot drinks, so please bring your own mug (and spoon).

Please DO NOT attend our sessions if you have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 5 days.

If you are a new volunteer and would like to learn more before getting involved, please get in touch ahead of the event. Contact details can be found at the bottom of this page in the "About the Organiser" section.