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Ecology
At Knowle Park, ecology is central to our reason for existence.
Our 60-acre country park and nature reserve is shaped by responsibility to ecology and nature recovery. It’s our job to protect and improve the various habitats, wildlife, and natural landscapes here, so both people and nature can flourish together.
We’ve got a simple vision; we want Knowle Park to be a living, breathing green space. It’s a place where wildlife is given the space it needs, where habitats are properly protected and cared for, and where the community feels connected to nature and the land.
We hope this connection inspires people to look after ecology and nature, both within and outside of the park.
Habitats We Protect
Knowle Park supports a rich mix of habitats, each playing its part in the life of the park. Biodiversity is essential to nature recovery, and when creating the park we proudly changed the original site from a fairly monoculture grassland to one with several habitats.
Wildflower
Our wildflower meadows are alive with movement throughout the year, but especially in the warmer months. They provide vital food and shelter for pollinators and insects, from bees and butterflies to beetles and moths. These meadows are beautiful to look at, and working landscapes, carefully managed to support biodiversity.
Woodland
Our woodland areas and newer tree plantings offer cover, food sources, nesting sites, and safe routes for birds and mammals to move through the park. Woodland is a complex habitat, from canopy to leaf litter, supporting life at every level.
Wildlife Lake
At the heart of the park sits our 3.5 acre wildlife lake. With marginal and floating plants around its edges, it provides habitat for aquatic life, amphibians and visiting birds. The lake is also naturally fed by our network of ditches, which we manage carefully for both flood prevention and ecology.
Hedgerows
Our native hedgerows help stitch the park together. They form natural boundaries while also acting as wildlife corridors, allowing species to move safely between habitats and strengthening the overall ecological network.
With thoughtful design and ongoing care, these habitats connect and support each other.
They create a living system across the park.
Nature Recovery
Caring for what we already have is only part of the story. We’re also actively working to increase biodiversity across the park.
Each year, we plant new native trees and hedgerows to expand habitats and strengthen the landscape. These species are chosen carefully to support local wildlife and, as they mature, they also help with carbon capture.
Our hedgerows and green spaces are designed to connect different areas of the park. These wildlife corridors allow birds, mammals and insects to move safely through the landscape rather than becoming isolated in small pockets.
We also carry out habitat improvement works along Littlemead Brook and other water features. Sensitive management of these areas supports aquatic ecosystems, improves water quality and creates better conditions for amphibians, invertebrates and plant life.
None of this happens by accident. Our work is guided by best practice and shaped by advice from environmental specialists, including Surrey Wildlife Trust. Most importantly, it’s delivered with the help of local volunteers and community groups who give their time and energy to look after this special place.
Get Involved
Ecology at Knowle Park is something our whole community can be part of supporting.
Volunteering
We have a growing team of volunteers who help care for the park in all sorts of ways. Some support wildlife monitoring and join guided nature walks. Others help plant and look after native trees and hedgerows. There’s always practical work to be done too, from habitat maintenance to hands-on conservation days out in the fresh air.
You don’t need to be an expert. You just need an interest and a willingness to get involved.
Whether you can spare an hour once a month or want to come along every week, your time genuinely makes a difference. Much of what you see and enjoy in the park is only possible because of volunteers.
If you would like to be part of it, please visit our Volunteering page to find out how to get involved.