Inspiral Spring Walk – Fire & Forest Gate

On Sunday 28 April (date and time tbc) InspiraLondon takes us on urban ecology exploration from Forest Gate (segment 13) across Wanstead Flats to search for signs of new growth – following the summer’s grass fires in London’s Forest interior.

‘Not since London ceased to be subject to recurrent fires, due to the carelessness of its citizens…has the urban area been subjected to such cataclysm as the blitz… The effect … has been to produce extensive areas of open ground throughout the most heavily built up parts of London, and this has naturally had a profound influence on the fauna, and more especially on the flora of the area.’ (London’s Natural History, R S R Fitter 1945 – Chapter: The influence of War, p. 228-239)

The effect of fire and its significance in providing opportunities for new species to colonise fresh sites is better understood now, as well as the regenerative potential of fire as evolutionary strategy. On this walk, along segment 13, we will examine both the lucky and unlucky consequences for urban ecology and forms of bio-diversity within the ‘Forest’ Borough.

With guest artists including soundcamp (tbc).