Tree Trails & Pollinator Pathways

Ready to enhance local pollinator populations? Through planting trees, creating flower-rich habitats and strengthening links between green spaces and community growing places, you can play a direct role in creating a thriving wildlife corridor here in Islington - for people and nature.

By listening to and working with people like you who are passionate about where they live, we’ll come together to create and explore local tree trails and green spaces, discover the vital role of pollinators, become more active outdoors, and develop a deeper connection with nature. By working collectively, we can all create a greener, more biodiverse landscape that benefits wildlife and the community where you live.

Project Partners

Tree Trails and Pollinator Pathways is a collaboration between Octopus Community Network, Islington Council and the National Trust and builds upon the work of residents in the Tufnell Park Nature Neighbourhoods area.

The Whittington Park Community Association, Holloway Neighbourhood Group, Hilldrop Area Community Centre have come together as thriving community centres to embark upon a journey to become Nature Anchors, providing a vital resource for people who live, work and run businesses in their neighbourhood to gain access to advice and resources on their doorstep.

Local Activities

From BioBlitz Citizen Science activities through to tree planting, creating pollinator rich tree pits, producing local nutrient rich compost, and helping grow the pollinator plants needed to diversify the number of pollinating insects, there's something for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

So, if you are passionate about pollinators, think trees in the city are terrific, and you enjoy being active in the community, especially outdoors, let’s join together to create 7.6k of tree trails and pollinator pathways for the whole community to enjoy nature in their neighbourhood.

View the calendar of upcoming activities to get involved!

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  • Join us to plot and map the 7.6km route

    Thanks to the National Trust we are able to access the expertise, resources and technology needed so that you can plot and help map the tree trail and pollinator pathways - you can pin:

    • where you would like to plant a tree

    • where you and your neighbours want to create tree pits

    • places where you think your community can create nature-rich pollinator pathways

    • where you’ve noticed some interesting nature

    • community gardens and food growing spaces that are part of the 7.6km route or have the potential to be pollinating destinations.

    Use this survey to pin your finds onto the map!

  • Community Conversations

    Through a series of Community Conversations the Nature Anchors will bring together residents, volunteers, people who work or study in the neighbourhood, or run businesses in the local area to share ideas, opportunities, resulting in a neighbourhood plan for developing and connecting the tree trails and pollinator pathways in their area, and help connect these to other neighbourhoods, so that we are all joined up!

    How to get involved

    • Use the Map to locate your nearest Nature Anchor.

    • Join us on neighbourhood Door-Knocks to reach out to and engage everyone who wold like to be involved.

    • Checkout the timetable of conversations to see what is going on in your neighbourhood - bring along family, friends and neighbours - everyone welcome!

    • We welcome anyone who would like to volunteer!

  • Be a Nature Explorer

    and Join your community in exploring and celebrating the nature that exists all around us.

    Become a nature explorer and uncover the trees, wildflowers, bees, butterflies, birds, and other species that share our streets, parks, and gardens. Guided by local naturalists, enthusiasts and community champions, you'll help identify and record pollinators, contributing valuable information that supports biodiversity conservation and the creation of connected habitats across the area.

    Just like a real ecological survey, the observations collected will help us understand how pollinators use urban spaces and inform future planting and habitat improvements along our tree trails and pollinator pathways.

    With hands-on activities, guided walks, species-spotting challenges, and opportunities to learn about urban nature, there’s something for everyone, whether you're a curious beginner, a seasoned enthusiast, or simply looking for a fun activity with family and friends. If you are keen and want to take the lead on running a BioBlitz in your community here’s a link to all the resources that you need.

  • Trees and Tree Pits

    Community Tree Planting

    Gather with friends, family and neighbours to help plant 64 new trees in your neighbourhood. You can identify and pin where you would like a tree to be. Or why not join a community conversation at your local Nature Anchor to help map out the route of tree trails and join others to plant trees along the way.

    Community Tree Pit Planting

    Got a tree pit that you would like to plant with pollinator friendly plants to create a mini garden? If so, just pin the location on the Map, share your ideas through a community conversation to help join up the tree pits along our planned 7.6km of trails. We’ve got lots of resources, guides and you have access to advice to choose the right plants.

  • Learning Opportunities

    Join us on a two-year journey of learning and practical experiences that will help create a community of people who have the skills, knowledge and experience of creating and maintaining tree trails and pollinator pathways.

    Check out the timetable for workshops, walks, skills-shares, hands-on and can-do events in your neighbourhood.

Community Involvement

Join us on a two-year journey of learning and practical experiences that will help create a community of people who have the skills, knowledge and experience of creating and maintaining tree trails and pollinator pathways.

Check out the timetable for workshops, walks, skills-shares, hands-on and can-do events in your neighbourhood.

Tree Trails and Pollinator Pathways Map

View the map below, and follow this link to explore in more detail.

Know of something that needs to be plotted onto the map? Complete this survey and what you’ve discovered will be added to the map!

From all of us, thank you so much

We’re proud to be supported by The Mayor of London’s Green Roots Fund, bringing nature into our community and helping build a greener, fairer London.