Londoners will be in for a surprise when they see cows roaming in Wanstead Park for the first time in 150-years.
The City of London Corporation, which manages the Grade II* Park, has put carefully selected cattle from its 200-strong herd out to graze as part of a two-month trial throughout September and October.
The pilot is part of a plan to use cattle to better manage and to restore the acid-grasslands in the area for wildlife conservation, including rare plant species, insects and spiders.
A team of volunteers and staff will be closely monitoring the animals’ welfare and encouraging visitors to admire but not feed or approach the cattle.
Graeme Doshi-Smith, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Epping Forest & Commons Committee, said: “Our grazing pilot is helping us identify better ways to protect Wanstead Park’s historic views at the same time as conserving a wide range of species and supporting an even better ecological balance at the site.
“Grazing is used as a natural way to manage grasslands and meadows across Epping Forest. As part of the programme we have prevented encroachment by scrub and more vigorous grasses in favour or rarer plants and herbs, benefitting a whole range of insects and birds.
NOW READ: City of London Corporation elects new Markets Committee Chairman
“It is exciting to be grazing heritage cattle here in this East London park, right on the edge of our capital city.”
The City Corporation is using GPS-collar technology which helps contain the cows by emitting audio signals when they reach a virtual boundary – removing the need for obtrusive electric fences.
Wanstead Park is east London’s oldest public park and noted for its national heritage and ecological importance. The City of London Corporation became the owners of the park in 1880, but it has been open to the public since 1715 – over 300 years.
The City Corporation protects and conserves 11,000 acres of green space in London and south east England – including Epping Forest and Hampstead Heath – and over 200 smaller sites in the Square Mile.
The City Corporation funds its green spaces with over £29 million a year. They include important wildlife habitats, heritage landscapes, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserves and are protected from being built on by special legislation.
These sites, most of which are charitable trusts, are run at little or no cost to the communities that they serve.
For the latest headlines from the City of London and beyond, follow City Matters on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
