Hackney Environment Forum.
Annual Report 2006-2007.

Hackney Environment Forum (HEF) is a network of groups and individuals committed to protecting and enhancing Hackney’s built and natural environment.
HEF works to:
• Raise awareness of environmental issues and solutions to problems.
• Promote communication between local groups and individuals with an interest in sustainability and environmental issues.
• Campaign against threats to Hackney’s environment which detract from the quality of life for local people.
• Provide a point of contact and help groups and individuals to get involved in environmental action.
• Set up meetings to bring groups and individual together around environmental and sustainability issues
• To encourage local authorities, statutory and voluntary bodies and businesses to develop and implement good environmental policies.

Committee members

Chair : Anne Woollett
Secretary: Michael Calderbank
Treasurer: Prue Poulton (HEF No.1 account)
Anne Woollett (HEF No.2 account)
Newsletter Editor: Mark Douglas
Education: Sandra McLeod

Green Map of Hackney
A major achievement this year has been the production and distribution of hard copies of the Green Map. The Map is based on environmental groups and projects in Hackney. Thanks to Michael Calderbank who lead on production of Green Map, collation of information about groups and projects and writing text, to Glory Hall for design work, for photographs from variety of people and groups including Jax Sheedy, Anne Woollett, Mark Douglas, Malcolm Smith, Trevor Parsons, Caroline Busfield Gregory and Growing Communities. 10,000 hard copies of the map were produced and are being distributed through libraries and community networks in Hackney. There was a large piece about the Green Map in Hackney Today and a notice in LCC Monthly magazine. Distribution continues in 2007-8.
The production and distribution of the copies of the Green Map was supported by Single Community Programme.

An electronic version of the Green Map, produced by London 21 with HEF support, is available on London 21 website and through direct links from HEF website. This is being updated, drawing on information from hard copy.

HEF website
hackneyenvironment.org.uk
The website is now active and well used. It has become the major source of information and news of environmental activities in Hackney.
Topics covered include :
2012 Olympics,
Hackney Marsh User Group activities,
Walks in Hackney Parks,
Tree of the Month,
ecoACTIVE education,
Tree Musketeer activities.
The website also has information about HEF, a copy of the Annual Report and links to other websites, (eg London 21 where you can find the Hackney Green Map). Leaflets about walks and some Hackney Parks, including Hackney Marshes, can now be downloaded.
The website site maintained by John Campbell and Michael Calderbank.
Mike Trier of Tree Musketeers has joined the team of HEF members who put information on the website.
Information about Olympics on website formed basis of article in Rising East, Vol 6, January 2007.
With the increased amount of material on the website and greater number of people it, the presentation is sometimes problematic. In 2007-8 we are planning to update and streamline the website.

Please contact us if you would like information about your group and activities to be added to the website.

Hackney Green Drinks.
Last Thursday of every other month.
January, March, May, July,September, November
from 7pm at Pembury Tavern, E8
(junction of Amhurst Road, Pembury Road and Dalston Lane)

Green Drinks started in May 2005 and have become a great success, bringing together people from a wide range of environmental groups with differing environmental interests. The sessions are informal, and there is no fixed agenda. The Pembury Tavern has provided to be a popular venue. There is a substantial Green Drinks email list with new people added at each session.
In December 2006 Tower Hamlets started Green Drinks session with a joint Hackney & Tower Hamlets session. Hackney Green Drinks take place in odd months and Tower Hamlets Green Drinks in even months.

Sustainability, networking and involvement in environmental activities.
HEF plays a lead role in development of a coordinated Sustainability Strategy for Hackney.
Initiatives include:
Sustainability Network: HEF created a Sustainability Network/list of community groups working on sustainability issues for Community Empowerment Network (CEN). While the list was completed and given to CEN, the planned event did not happen.
HEF have been in contact with Cllr Sophie Lindon, who advises Hackney’s cabinet on sustainability issues. We are planning a public meeting in October 2007.
June 2006: HEF advised Sustainable Borough Partnership of Team Hackney about an event for Sustainability Week. This event did not take place because of pressures experienced by key Council officer. Michael Calderbank attended Green Fair on June 13th on behalf of HEF.
LBH Green Spaces Strategy: HEF members continue to contribute to the development of this strategy.
Monitoring planning applications and developments including: Olympics, Gillett Square, Dalston, Spring Hill Sports Development, Springfield Mansions, Synagogue, Lea Bridge Road.

Funding.

Green Map: Production and distribution of hard copies is supported by Single Community Programme.
HEF support for voluntary and community group initiatives.
HEF manages the funding for activities of other groups through a separate bank account (HEF 2).
Public Art Programme: With the completion of the cycle and pedestrian path across Mabley Green, HEF has now ceased to be an Entrust. We have confirmation that the money has been appropriately spent. The fund was closed in June 2006 and outstanding money transferred to HEF No. 2 account.
Hackney Marsh User Group: for tree planting and improvements to biodiversity of Hackney Marshes, activities at Tree Nursery, and working with local school children on Hackney Marshes and Wick Woodland (London Woodland Grant Scheme, Park Life).
Tree Musketeers: working on trees in parks (Green Gateway).
EcoACTIVE Education: primary school projects to increase understanding of sustainability issues, to increase recycling and composting and to work on biodiversity.
Actions for Biodiversity: NRF funded biodiversity projects in Hackney’s parks.

Anyone interested in getting involved in HEF activities or monthly committee meeting is invited to email the HEF Secretary: Michael.Calderbank [at] tiscali.co.uk