Nature
The state of nature in Horsforth
Even though we are fortunate to have some accessible green space in Horsforth, wildlife and therefore biodiversity, here — like everywhere else is suffering; one estimate suggests that, by weight, 97% of the world’s vertebrate land animals are now either humans or our farm animals – just 3% are wild. Despite being predominately urban, Horsforth and its people are intrinsically part of the natural world, and therefore dependent on biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides.
Rewilding and maintaining existing biodiversity produce natural carbon sinks, providing so-called nature-based solutions to climate change. Conserving and restoring natural spaces, both on land and in the water, is essential for limiting carbon emissions and adapting to an already changing climate. About one-third of the greenhouse gas emissions reductions needed in the next decade could be achieved by improving nature’s ability to absorb emissions.
Aims of the Horsforth Climate Action Nature Group
- Survey and Enhance Local Biodiversity: We aim to map and enhance biodiversity within Horsforth, identifying key areas for conservation and improvement.
- Boost Public Engagement: By increasing community involvement, we foster a deeper connection between residents and their local environment.
- Foster Collaboration: We will work with groups across North Leeds on nature recovery, and we will also work with local groups to produce a Horsforth Nature Recovery Plan. We will support the review of Horsforth Town Council’s Neighbourhood Plan and the implementation of their Biodiversity Policy. Community group membership of HCA will enable local groups to work more closely together.
Where is nature being helped in Horsforth?
We have mapped some green spaces where action is being taken to help nature (e.g. planting trees, relaxed mowing, establishing diverse flower communities for pollinators, creating ponds).
How to use the map
- The map has three main layers, habitat types and particular sites (public sites – red discs; postcodes with nature-friendly private gardens – blue discs). It can be opened by clicking on this Map Link.
- Clicking on a feature in either layer causes a pop-up with information and, in some cases, a link to a further page.
- The map can be panned and there are zooming and measuring tools (top left).
- The legend (top right) can be collapsed and layers turned off.
- If you know of a site where action has been taken to help nature and which could be added to the map please email: info@horsforthclimateaction.org, including a grid reference or some other measurement of its location and, ideally, a photo of the site.
Our Achievements and Ongoing Efforts
Take part in the big butterfly count
The Great Butterfly Count takes place from 18th July - 10th August The charity Butterfly Conservation has been collecting data on butterfly numbers for 15 years. Last year was one of the worst years for butterflies, the result of a wet spring and relatively cool...
HCA Produce Show (Part of HCA Green Festival)
Are you a keen gardener? Do you have green fingers? Or just starting out in the world of gardening and growing? We need you to enter our produce show! As part of our Green Festival on Sunday 21st September 2025 we are hosting a produce show with a difference! There...
Horsforth Community Wide Walk to School Week!
Walk to School Week Horsforth Climate Action joined forces with the Horsforth Primary Schools to celebrate Walk to School Week on the 19th-23rd May 2025. We aimed to reduce the number of short car journeys, reduce air pollution and heighten awareness of sustainable...
Nature Recovery
What is Nature Recovery and why is it needed? The world is facing twin climate and biodiversity emergencies, which are inextricably linked. Nature is in serious decline internationally and nationally, with the UK being one of the most nature depleted countries in the...
Nature Friendly Gardening
Whatever the size of your outdoor space, you can help nature by making some additions to your garden or changing the way you look after your space. 17 percent of Horsforth is made up of private gardens, so we can all make positive changes to improve things for the...
Land Art on Drury Field
There have been two areas in Horsforth where the HCA Nature group have worked with the Climate Energy and Green Spaces dept. of Leeds City Council to develop suburban meadow-like areas to increase biodiversity: these are Cragg Hill Recreation ground and Drury Field....
Reduced Mowing and Meadows
Wildflower meadows are beautiful, nature-rich habitats that once featured across much of the UK. From late spring, meadow flowers such as clovers, ox-eye daisies, self heal, bird’s foot trefoil, hawkweed, knapweeds and many others, attract insects, birds and mammals,...
Where is nature being helped in Horsforth? Our new nature map is live!
We are mapping those public green space sites where action is being taken to help nature. These initiatives vary from planting trees, relaxed mowing, establishing more diverse flower communities for pollinators and creating ponds. Using the map The map can be opened...
Insect Walk
12 local people enjoyed an interesting and informative Insect Walk on 21st July, organised by the Nature group of Horsforth Climate Action as part of the Horsforth Bioblitz and led by professional ecologist Cathy Burton. We explored a variety of habitats in the Cragg...
Moth Viewing Event
In the rearranged Moth Viewing Event which took place this weekend (Saturday 20th July), Cluny MacPherson from The Meanwood Road (BioBlitz) Project demonstrated the wide range of moths captured in a moth trap, set up the previous evening. His knowledge and expertise...
How You Can Help
Activities to Try at Home:
- Take part in Horsforth Bioblitz
- Complete the Horsforth garden biodiversity survey and consider some of the ideas in it you are not already doing such as:
- Grow wildflowers in your garden and on your verge
- Leave some long grass, e.g. Now Mow May
- Grow some fruit, veg or herbs
- Install a water butt / pond / bird feeders / bird boxes or other animal habitats
- Make compost or join a community composting scheme
- Register your garden as wildlife friendly with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
- Join Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Team Wilder
- Join local groups working for nature e.g. Yorkshire Rewilding Network, Rodley Nature Reserve, Friends of Hunger Hills Woods, Horsforth in Bloom, Friends of Hawksworth Woods, Cragg Hill and Woodside Residents Group and Friends of Horsforth Cemetery.
Join Us!
Our Nature Group is actively seeking new members to join ongoing and upcoming projects. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or a community member eager to make a difference, your skills and enthusiasm can significantly impact our local environment.
Your participation is imprtant in expanding our efforts to protect and enhance our local ecosystems. Contact us at volunteering@horsforthclimateaction.org to join our group.
Sign up to our newsletter
Upcoming Activities
Stay tuned for updates on our ongoing projects and how you can be a part of these efforts by checking our Events Page.
Let’s work together for a greener, more sustainable Horsforth. Every action counts, and your involvement is key to our success. Join us in safeguarding our planet for future generations.
