New Southall microforest project seeks volunteers this winter

Ealing Council has teamed up with environmental charity Letting Grow to create London’s newest microforest on wasteland in Glade Lane Canalside Park in Southall, London.

They are inviting schools, businesses, ordinary Londoners and journalists to become Forest Makers by planting trees throughout January 2026.

The new microforest will contain 3000 trees of native deciduous species including oak, beech, rowan, cherry, and hawthorn. The new forest is part of a broader initiative to improve the local environment by rewilding hundreds of acres of land in the borough.

Letting Grow wants as many people as possible to get involved. The charity is inviting school children, members of the public, local businesses and journalists to come and get their hands dirty by attending any time they like to plant their tree! Letting Grow will supply the spades!

‘This is a fantastic chance for everyone to get outdoors, reconnect with nature and make an impact by creating a new urban forest from scratch’ said Ross Walker, CEO of Letting Grow.

He added that the benefits of creating new forests are enormous for both individuals and the environment. ‘Working in nature has been shown to give people a real psychological boost. Plus it’s a great way to learn and for teams to bond through cooperation.’

The new forest will have significant environmental benefits too, absorbing up to 30,000 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide every year when mature. ‘It will help the fight against climate change, it will cool the local environment and it will boost biodiversity in the area,’ said Walker.

He explained that Microforests are perfect for urban spaces as even areas the size of a tennis court can have significant effects. “Rapid growth, increased biodiversity, soil enhancement and carbon storage are just a few of the environmental benefits. But this planting will also promote community cohesion and relationship building.”

One participant at Letting Grow’s last Forest Makers event said ‘I thoroughly enjoyed the last three Saturday planting sessions at Pear Tree Park. They were well organised and I was impressed by the knowledge and expertise of the team who went out of their way to make all the volunteers feel welcomed and appreciated. Full marks to everyone involved!’.

Letting Grow is looking forward to having a similar impact on the local community in Southall with their current project.