Four goodgymers went along to the Mutton Brook Tiny Forests to help the local community in their first citizen science event of 2026.

With local residents, they engaged in all sorts of different surveys of the Tiny Forests: soil compaction, thermal comfort, tree measuring. And they collected several bags of rubbish around the site.

The weather played its part: it was windy but gloriously sunny and everyone was happy to be out on this spring day,blowing away the winter cobwebs.

The surveys help collect data from the 200+ forests dotted around the country, which environmental charity Earthwatch collates and analyzes.

If you want to learn more about the science around the Tiny Forests, visit this link

We look forward to the next community mission at the Tiny Forests!

Spring jobs, proper places

A lovely Friday morning Community Mission at Stephens House and Gardens, working alongside some of the regular volunteer crew in the spring sunshine.

I started in the children’s playground, helping clear back some nettles with Julian. It’s not that nettles aren’t welcome they absolutely are but like most things in a garden, they just need to be in the right place. Stephens House already has a dedicated nettle patch, which is great for butterflies as an egg-laying resource.

After that, I joined Helen in the bog garden .. not especially boggy at the moment after the dry spell where we tackled dock leaves before they had a chance to dominate. Helen is working hard to increase biodiversity in the area, and there was something very satisfying about getting the spade in just right and feeling that deep dock root come free with a satisfying pop.

A couple of hours of simple, purposeful outdoor work, good conversation, and shared effort was rounded off in the best possible way: tea and biscuits in the Bothy garden. Friendly, community-minded, and quietly rewarding a lovely way to spend a Friday morning.

And Gus seemed happy too, back in the park he grew up

Subham and I joined John and Hannah to help clear old log boards from the path where they were stopping vegetation from growing properly. We moved the wood into separate piles, creating habitat for insects and leaving some material aside for possible burning.

Simple task, good company, and plenty of chat while we worked.

Darlands is a special local nature reserve, with woodland, wetland and lake habitat that supports wildlife and helps the wider local environment. The lake has also recently been dredged, which should improve water capture, benefit wildlife and help reduce flood pressure further down the river system.

A nice straightforward mission, but exactly the sort of practical support that helps a local green space thrive.