Connect with nature!
The Wild Harrow programme is a series of themed volunteer and training events celebrating the wildlife and green spaces of Harrow.
This programme is delivered in partnership by Voluntary Action Harrow, Harrow Nature Conservation Forum, and Harrow Parks Forum. Together, we are working to promote wellbeing, grow volunteering opportunities, and strengthen local park and conservation groups.
Our activities are inspired by the idea of discovering the “wild” in our beautiful borough. Helping residents connect with nature, learn new skills, and meet others who care about Harrow’s parks and green spaces.
Whether you are:
We would love to welcome you!
Urban BioBlitz: Bugs, Birds & Plant Discovery Walks
An event to look at and identify birds, plants, insects, animals and maybe a lichen or two. Anything living is “fair game”. You help find them; we identify them. There will be bird watching walks and general wandering to find plants and insects throughout the day. Come with hat and sunscreen and sensible shoes! We continue after dark with a bat and moth spotting evening. Our mothing light is very bright. We will bring some safety glasses but if you would prefer to wear your own UV sunglasses then please do.
13th June 2026 10:00am – 4:00pm
Moth & Bat ID Night (Continuation of the BioBlitz)
Come delight in the creatures that fly at night! We will be using bat detectors and a mothing light trap to see what we can find. Our mothing light is very bright so we will bring some protective glasses but if you would rather wear your own UV sunglasses then please do.
13th June 2026 9:00pm – 12:00a,
Bracken control, removing rambling brambles, and invasive saplings as well as clearing the pathways.
Lady Gilbert’s Orchard.
Bracken control protects biodiversity, prevent habitats from becoming overgrown, and maintain safe public access. Without management, these aggressive plants quickly crowd out native species, dominate the landscape, and create dense, impassable thickets that restrict woodland.
20th June 2026 10:00am – 3:00pm
Field Identification of Beetles
Learn about distinctive species and common families of beetles (Order Coleoptera) in this beginner’s course.
Discover the fascinating world of beetles in this one-day beginner’s course, designed to build your confidence in field identification. Beetles are one of the UK’s most diverse groups of insects, with thousands of species occupying a wide range of habitats. This beginner course will focus on recognising common beetle families and a selection of distinctive species, helping you develop the skills needed to identify beetles in the field and begin recording your observations with confidence.
30th June 2026 10:00am – 4:00pm
New planted tree care and general tidy
Did you know that Britain has lost 97% of it’s wildflower meadows since WWII? Roxbourne Rough remains a grassy wildflower meadow surrounded by trees and is managed and maintained by volunteers. Meet them to help out then enjoy some tea or coffee in the Roxbourne Park pavilion.
14th June 2026 10:00am – 1:00pm
Removal of bracken and bramble to reduce dominance of aggressive species and allow other plants and wildlife to flourish
Our pond will be getting a badly needed new boardwalk soon. Come help us prepare the area for its new boardwalk. We will be cutting back and removing invasive species and generally making the pond ready for its fabulous new boardwalk.
1st July 2026 10:00am – 1:00pm
Clearing invasives to prevent them from outcompeting native plants and improve local biodiversity
Grim’s Ditch and Dyke once stretched 6 miles through Harrow from Pinner to Cuckoo Hill. Get up close and personal with this registered ancient monument and help the volunteers at Old Redding take care of and preserve this gem for future generations.
4th July 2026 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Urban BioBlitz: Bugs, Birds & Plant Discovery Walks
An event to look at and identify birds, plants, insects, animals and maybe a lichen or two. Anything living is “fair game”. You help find them; we identify them. There will be bird watching walks and general wandering to find plants and insects throughout the day. Come with hat and sunscreen and sensible shoes! We continue after dark with a bat and moth spotting evening. Our mothing light is very bright. We will bring some safety glasses but if you would prefer to wear your own UV sunglasses then please do.
Moth & Bat ID Night
Come delight in the creatures that fly at night! We will be using bat detectors and a mothing light trap to see what we can find. Our mothing light is very bright so we will bring some protective glasses but if you would rather wear your own UV sunglasses then please do.
Partners
Funders
