From wasteland to wonderland, rubbish dump to nature reserve
Welcome to Wolf Fields, A Rocha UK's urban community nature reserve in Southall, West London.
A Rocha UK acquired the three-acre Wolf Fields site in 2012. Work to transform the abandoned patch of land into a community greenspace started in 2013. The site, once used as a brick works, was cleared of 54 tonnes of rubbish.
Wolf Fields provides the local community with access to a safe green space. We demonstrate to local churches and the wider community how they can care for creation on urban land in a way that inspires and enables others to do the same.
The reserve is now the centre of community activities and events.
It has an orchard, community allotment, beehives, braille and audio interpretation, sensory garden, meadow, art installation area, prayer labyrinth, ponds and a story-telling arena for children. Nest boxes and a bird feeding station were some of the first improvements to attract wildlife. These additions have had a noticeable impact on the site’s species diversity.
Local GPs refer people to visit Wolf Fields to take part in activities that can improve health, wellbeing and social welfare.
A place for people
The community allotment is a central part of the Wolf Fields project. Fully organic, it produces food all year round. We grow and harvest potatoes, tomatoes, leeks, cabbage, onions, garlic, coriander, beans, and pumpkins. Community groups help to harvest our fruit and vegetables and celebrate at our popular annual harvest event. Our community orchard contains more than 30 different native varieties of fruit trees and bushes – including apples, pears, cherries, plums and some more unusual trees such as mulberry, quince and medlar.
Our sensory garden was designed by a local seven-year-old from Norwood Green Infant and Nursery School. It follows a simple five-petal flower design celebrating each of the senses. The garden was developed in partnership with Ealing Association for the Blind whose members advised on the setting up of braille information boards and audio description stations. They have continued to enjoy visits to the sensory garden and attended work parties to help maintain the area.
Our art installation area and labyrinth are also popular with our local churches and schools.
Harvest at Wolf Fields
Children from local schools learning about pollination
A place for nature and learning
Our wildflower meadow, pond and orchard provide an important area for our bees – it’s great to see a buzz on what was previously very contaminated ground.
The reserve is an ideal place for learning activities and inspiring children and young people to engage with nature. We regularly welcome schools, youth clubs, Scouts, Guides, church and community groups to our reserve. Environmental education activities include learning about pollination with our beekeepers, pond dipping and species identification.
Community Events
We welcome over 1000 people to approximately 60 community events each year. Events include community picnics, work parties, outdoor family events, community festivals, harvesting, butterfly and moth training, dawn chorus and sunrise events, nature identification and activities for children and young people.
Local schools use Wolf Fields for Forest Schools with pond dipping, Easter egg hunts, storytelling and nature identification events.
The reserve hosts conservation demonstration days for our Eco Churches and Wild Christian programmes to teach about wildlife and conservation techniques in the great outdoors.
Volunteer at Wolf Fields
The Reserve Manager is supported by a team of volunteers helping with our practical conservation work, public events, and data collection. Our volunteers help Wolf Fields thrive.
We welcome people of all faiths and none and offer a wide range of volunteering opportunities to suit all abilities. Join us at our weekly work parties to learn new skills in the fresh air and exercise as part of a friendly team.
Contact us
Please email our Reserve Manager, Andrew Samuel at: andrew.samuel@arocha.org or contact our office: 020 8574 5935.
Wolf Fields Nature reserve is part of our national Partners in Action network.