Protecting the Environment

Image showing young boy in a yellow coat, crouching on a shallow river bank with a plastic bag of litter. His parents are walking behind also carrying litter bags.

Our goal is to help Kew become a more sustainable, inclusive and accessible place to live

We aim to facilitate dialogue, debate and action on a number of environmental issues that impact Kew, through collaboration with local Non-Governmental Organisations, charities, interest groups and governmental bodies.

A greener Kew

Residents of Kew are blessed to live in a beautiful and historic part of London, nestled as we are between the world renowned Royal Botanic Gardens and a picturesque stretch of the River Thames. Two public parks, the Pensford Field Nature Reserve, Kew Green and the grounds of the National Archives, as well as numerous small green spaces and private gardens, provide a haven for a rich diversity of plant, insect and animal life.

Yet Kew is not without its environmental challenges which threaten the long term sustainability of the village and the health and well-being of its residents, and we know that people are also concerned about wider issues of habitat management and the enhancement of biodiversity in the village.

Education is a key part of our response to this and we look to work with local groups and organisations to develop a better understanding of environmental sustainability within the community to bring about direct action and changes in behaviour for the benefit of all. We also closely monitor relevant issues so that we can keep members informed about important developments and policy changes, seek your views and where appropriate submit formal responses.

The work of the Environment Team is extensive and covers many areas of interest. We are actively looking for more volunteers to help us with this vital work.

Please get in touch if you would like to join us in our efforts to ensure that Kew continues to be a green and vibrant place to live and work.

Volunteer

Our partners

Kew Society is a member of, and contributes to, a number of groups directly related to the environmental arena. These include:

The Old Deer Park Working Group
The Thames Landscape – Community Advisory Group
The Towpath Group
Richmond Heathrow Campaign
Richmond Council Sustainability Forum

More information ..... coming soon

Image shows 4 people in conversation in front of the breach in the towpath. A man and white haired women are in convesation to the right of the image. Another man and women are in conversation to the left of the image. They are all wearing winter coats and walking boots. The sky is grey but the sun is shining. We can see the river in full flood and trees without leaves in the back ground

Our river

Scarcely a week goes by without concerns being raised about water quality in the River Thames, as well as ongoing leaks from the sewage and drinking water networks local to Kew. Add to this unsightly garbage along the riverbank and local footpaths suggests that more can be done to improve water management in Kew. This includes helping households and businesses to minimise their water usage.

We have also been following the development of Richmond Council’s Flood Risk Management Plan and in particular the need for better drainage to cope with large new developments.

Our air

Few visitors to Kew can escape the aircraft and vehicle noise pollution that impacts village life. Related to this is the air pollution emanating from both and its negative impact on our health and well-being.

Kew Society aims to keep local residents abreast of local and national policies in this area and work towards initiatives that will improve air quality and reduce noise; the greater our membership, the bigger our voice.

Our streets

Harmonious shared use of the streets in Kew has benefits for all, not least in encouraging people to shop locally. This means balancing the needs of pedestrians with vehicle users and cyclists, all of whom require access in and through Kew for employment, education and entertainment.

Step-free access to Kew Gardens Station as well as places to sit throughout the village are just two examples that will help to improve access for all.

Our resources

Kew has extensive household waste and recycling resources provided by Richmond Borough Council and various private concerns. Unfortunately contamination of recyclables, disturbance by urban foxes and the thoughtless disposal of rubbish are a problem in some areas of the village.

Supporting residents and visitors to minimise waste and make efficient use of resources is a goal of Kew Society that will benefit all residents.