We need your help to improve the environment on the Chiswick Eyot. We plan work days, marginal planting, scrub removal, rubbish removal, pollarding the large willows on site and using material generated to prevent erosion on the island by shoring up the banks. This is an ongoing problem with the changing tide levels in this area and causes soil to wash away and gradually reduce the size of the island. The Willow withies produced on site will prevent this erosion and provide a living wall that blends in with the environment. Re-using materials on site will reduce having to purchase material elsewhere. Mitten crab burrows are contributing to the erosion. The Thames Strategy Kew to Chelsea work with community groups, the local Council and other groups such as the Environment agency and the PLA along the River Thames between Kew Bridge and Chelsea Bridge to help deliver landscaping projects like this on the ground. We would love your help. Just £2 - £5 would go a long way.

What we'll deliver:

• Continuation TSKC with local community groups along the River Thames between Kew Bridge and Chelsea Bridge
• Pollarding the the Willows on the Eyot for 2 years
• Work days on the Island to remove rubbish and prevent erosion on site.

Why it's a great idea:

This project is great as it is a locally backed project which will bring local people together and improve the local environment along the River Thames in Hounslow, a main aim of the Thames Strategy Kew to Chelsea. It has the support of many organisations including Hounslow Council who own the land. The Chiswick Protection Society want to protect this island for many generations to come but also allow the local community to get involved in the improvements and maintenance of this beautiful Local Nature Reserve. We have had interest from Gunnersbury Park Museum who want to use locally sourced willows for their skills workshops. The Thames Strategy Kew to Chelsea work with local communities to help deliver projects that local people want. This project with your help will attract match funding from other bigger organisations if it can be demonstrated that there is local support.

Steps to get it done:

• Pollard existing willows on site over a 2 year period
• Protection of banks using willow spilling techniques generated by materials on site.
• Supervised volunteer days on at least 10 occasions to improve skills and knowledge
• Marginal planting and shrub removal on site
• Removal of litter and other debris washed up on site
• Workshops at Gunnersbury Park and Museum

The Chiswick Eyot W4 2PR is an island of approximately 1.3 hectares. It has been declared a Local Nature Reserve by Hounslow Council. It is one of 43 un-bridged tidal islands which can be reached from the mainland. The Pragmites sp. bed has been particularly eroded away by burrowing mitten crabs. The project will be carried out according to the Hounslow Biodiversity action plan. The Gunnersbury Park and Museum have also expressed an interest in using the pollarded willow material for their workshops. This would be supervised by the formal learning officer at Gunnersbury Park. Further details about the erosion on the island caused by mitten crabs and the research being done, can be viewed at the following website. https://www.savingchiswickeyot.com