Protecting the environment

Find out how we're protecting the Essex coast and our green infrastructure strategy

Past projects

Thames Estuary Path

In 2014, we opened the Thames Estuary Path through South Essex Marshes. Veolia North Thames Trust and the MaxiGreen project funded this work, under the Interreg Two Seas programme. The MaxiGreen project saw seven EU partners work together to improve several neglected green spaces and heritage areas.

Greater Thames Marshes

Greater Thames Marshes covers 55,000 hectares across Essex, Kent and London. It’s rich in wildlife and one of only 12 such areas in England. Under the Greater Thames Marshes: Nature Improvement Area Initiative to improve the marshes, we partnered with organisations and people working and living across the land.

Although the initial three-year programme has finished, Thames Gateway Local Nature Partnership is continuing the work, which we’re helping coordinate.

Parklands South Essex

We led the £10 million Parklands South Essex programme, which included:

  • creation of the Bowers Marsh in Basildon by RSPB
  • a grant to the Land Trust to manage 20 hectares of Canvey Wick
  • creation of the Wat Tyler Green Centre and create new wildlife habitats
  • funding towards creating the Thurrock Thameside Nature Park Visitor Centre by Essex Wildlife Trust at Mucking
  • £1.3 million improvements to the RSPB nature reserve at Purfleet