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Community Highlights from March
March has been a busy and exciting month for The Sherbourne Valley Project! While this blog post offers just a short snapshot of some of our recent activities, there has been even more happening behind the scenes to engage with the community and enhance our local environment. Our restoration projects at Charterhouse and Lake View Park have also made significant progress to transform those sites for people and nature! From hands-on conservation work to educational talks and creative photography, here are some of the highlights from the past few weeks.
Coppicing at Grayswood (Monday, 3rd March)
We kicked off the month with a productive coppicing session at Grayswood, where volunteers joined us to manage tree growth and encourage a healthier woodland ecosystem. This essential work helps promote new growth of younger trees and prevents overcrowding, ensuring a diverse and thriving habitat for wildlife.
Macrophotography Wellbeing Walk (Friday, 7th March)
During our regular wellbeing walk, we took a moment to slow down and appreciate the small signs of spring. With a focus on macrophotography, participants captured stunning close-up shots of emerging flowers, insects, and intricate natural textures, reminding us of the beauty in the finer details of nature.
Hedgehog Talk at Burton Green (Monday, 10th March)
Our Cultural Heritage Officer, Helen, delivered an engaging talk on hedgehogs to the Women's Institute group at Burton Green Village Hall. The session highlighted ways to make gardens more hedgehog-friendly, with many attendees leaving inspired to make changes that will support these much-loved nocturnal visitors.
Tree Planting at Lake View Park (Saturday, 15th March)
Our River Restoration Officer, Joe, joined the newly formed "Friends of Lake View Park" group to plant trees, helping to enhance biodiversity and improve the park’s green spaces. It was fantastic to see the community coming together to invest in the future of this much-loved area.
Large-Scale Tree Planting at Slashpitts Farm (Monday, 17th March)
A dedicated team of staff and volunteers planted around 300 trees at Slashpitts Farm in Corley Moor. As we worked, we were watched curiously by the local farm animals, making for a memorable day of conservation in action.
Guphill Brook Litter Pick & Teacher Training (Wednesday, 19th March)
Our volunteer group at Guphill Brook took on a mammoth litter-picking session, removing a huge number of bags of waste and large debris from the river and surrounding area. On the same day, our Education & Training Officer, Jen, led a CPD training session for primary school teachers, equipping them with the skills to conduct fieldwork with their students. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with teachers describing it as the best staff meeting they’ve had in ages!
These events are just a glimpse of the incredible work happening through The Sherbourne Valley Project. From practical conservation efforts to community outreach and education, every action contributes to a healthier, greener future for Coventry. If you'd like to get involved in our upcoming activities, follow us on social media or sign up for our newsletter.
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The Sherbourne Valley Project is proposing a further phase of river and wetland enhancement works within Lake View Park to be delivered in Autumn 2026. The works include the creation of five high-flow scrapes through bank reprofiling, one new seasonal wetland scrape, a permanent gravel riffle, and a butterfly bank created from excavated material.
During the week beginning 13th July, the Sherbourne Valley Project carried out a series of small snagging works at Lake View Park to further improve the river restoration work completed earlier this year.
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Showcasing what happens when we let nature take the lead. The changes at Coundon Wedge on the North Brook reflect the huge positive impact that using newer techniques such as "stage zero" can be incredibly effective at restoring nature.
A look at the restoration of Lake View Park and how the site has changed, offering more diverse habitats and a more resilient wetland that is better for both wildlife and people.
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Celebrate Coventry’s hidden river at this year’s Autumn River Festival, taking place at Coventry Charterhouse on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September, from 11am to 4pm each day.
Join in the fun at Summer River Festival Coventry 2026, a free celebration of the River Sherbourne over the weekend of 6th - 7th June. There will be a packed programme of live music, theatrical performances, storytelling, river walks, and hands-on arts and crafts.
