Ealing Wildlife Group
We are a community of wildlife enthusiasts protecting, encouraging and celebrating nature through education, collaboration and conservation.
New Chair Appointed
At our AGM in May, outgoing Chair, Dr Sean McCormack, and EWG officers were delighted to introduce Ben Barrett following his appointment as Chair.
Ben has lived in Ealing since 2019, having initially moved to London in 2003. He is a sustainability consultant, working mainly in sport, with a background in developing transformational strategy and delivering programme implementation for international organisations.
Welcome to the team, Ben!
Join the Team!
Want to get involved? We’re looking for a new team member to join us in a key volunteer role:
➡️ Costons Nature Reserve Leader – Take the helm at this special site, coordinating management activities and helping this haven for wildlife reach its full potential
Spotlight Projects
The Ealing Beaver Project
Nestled in the serene environs of Paradise Fields in Greenford, Ealing, the Ealing Beaver Project is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering urban human-beaver coexistence. As London’s first fully accessible urban beaver reintroduction site, we are dedicated to bringing people closer to nature right in the heart of the city. This is a joint project between Ealing Wildlife Group (EWG), Citizen Zoo, Ealing Council and Friends of Horsenden, supported by experts at the Beaver Trust and part-funded by the Mayor of London’s Rewild London 2 Fund.
Learn More!Helping Our Hedgehogs
The Hedgehog is not only considered a gardener’s best friend, they’ve also won our hearts being Britain’s favourite UK animal, but they are in serious decline!
Ealing Wildlife Group runs the Hedgehog Highways project to boost the borough’s hedgehog population. A core aim of this project is to create connected corridors by which Ealing’s hedgehogs can travel to find food (a hedgehog can visit up to 40 gardens per night in search of food). The routes also allow hedgehogs to find mates, which is important to avoid inbreeding. By connecting as many gardens as possible, the project aims to create suitable habitat for hedgehogs across the borough.
Learn More!EWG@Costons Lane Nature Reserve
Over the past four years, EWG has transformed the former Costons Lane allotments from a neglected site into a thriving wildlife sanctuary, through volunteer effort. We’ve created diverse habitats, including a wildlife garden, wildflower meadow, pond, hedgerow and woodland, demonstrating what community can achieve when they collaborate to care for shared spaces.
We hold volunteer days once a month at which everyone is welcome, whether you want to help out with the work or enjoy the reserve at leisure. In addition to our wild habitats, we have a bird hide overlooking the pond and a sunny deck to sit back and relax with a cup of tea.
You could spot foxes, woodpeckers, slow worms, newts, frogs, spiders, insects, dragonflies, butterflies, Red Kites, and all manner of pondlife.
Learn More!Our Mission
We aim to inspire, educate and foster new connections between local people, neighbourhoods and the natural world.
We aim to highlight and protect our flora and fauna, and the natural habitats we are lucky to have on our doorsteps in Ealing.
We enjoy working with others and forging relationships with all stakeholders, groups and individuals working towards a common goal; protection of our natural spaces and the life they contain.
We provide an inclusive community of like-minded individuals who are all passionate about nature, keen to learn more about it and understand the importance of active conservation.
With several conservation projects happening throughout the Borough, including our own urban nature reserve in Greenford, we provide the opportunity for locals to get involved.
Relying on citizen science, our dedicated volunteers, local experts and amateur naturalists collect and submit data on the biodiversity of species across Ealing.
There is no formal or paid membership, so getting involved is simple. Join our very active Facebook Group, sign up for our newsletter and see our Events page for volunteer days, educational and fun activities, and community and social events.
Our Latest Success Story
Look what EWG got because of YOU!
Whether you helped plant a tree, released a tiny Harvest Mouse, or continue to support each fortnight at Costons Lane Nature Reserve, this award is for you!
EALING WILDLIFE GROUP WOULD NOT, NOR COULD NOT EXIST WITHOUT ITS VOLUNTEERS!
Whatever the weather, at short notice, regardless of the task, you, our volunteers support us with enthusiasm, smiles, friendship and above all fun and love of Ealing‘s wildlife.
This award is for you, thank you!
EWG’s Impact Across the Borough of Ealing
Latest Articles
Beavers in Paradise: Research shows how Ealing is shaping London’s Wild Future
Ben Barrett – EWG’s new chair, in his own words
EWG welcomes Ben Barrett as new Chair
Would you like to help Ealing’s hedgehogs? Join our new volunteer team of Hedgehog Garden Coaches
Sad news for our Peregrine Falcons
Our Latest Videos
Header photo by Sean McCormack
