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Ever wondered what a rain garden actually is?

Or where rainwater goes after it disappears down a drain?

We’re breaking down some of the terms you might hear when talking about flooding, climate resilience and greener neighbourhoods.

These nature-based solutions might ...sound complicated, but they’re often simple ideas that work with nature to help manage water, support wildlife and create better places for people.

Swipe through to learn more about rain gardens, SuDS, wetlands and how Project Sponge is helping bring these ideas to life across Slough.

In partnership with WWT London Wetland Centre The National Flood Forum Slough Borough Council Buckinghamshire Council WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre

What can a stream tell us about the health of our local environment?

On Monday last week, members of the community joined us at Salt Hill Stream for our Water Rangers Water Quality Session as part of Project Sponge’s River Monitoring & Research initiative.

Using simple ...Water Rangers testing kits, participants helped collect water quality data that will be uploaded to a global citizen science database, contributing to a bigger picture of water health both locally and nationally.

We also spent time exploring the wildlife living in and around the stream. The plants and creatures found in a waterway can tell us a lot about its condition, making them an important part of understanding the health of our local environment.

This session is part of a longer-term ambition to help local people get involved in monitoring the health of their waterways.

In future, community members will be able to access their own Water Rangers kits and upload water quality results directly to the global citizen science database, helping build an ongoing picture of the health of the Salt Hill Stream.

A huge thank you to everyone who came along, got their hands wet and helped collect valuable information about one of Slough’s local waterways.

Follow Project Sponge to hear about future Water Rangers sessions and other opportunities to get involved in citizen science across Slough.

In partnership with WWT London Wetland Centre The National Flood Forum Slough Borough Council Buckinghamshire Council WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre

Could you leave the car at home for just one journey this week? 🚶‍♀️🚲

As part of Great Big Green Week, people across the UK are taking small actions that can make a positive difference for their communities, nature and the climate.

Whether it’s walking through your ...local park, cycling to the shops, or taking public transport instead of driving, every journey is an opportunity to reduce emissions and enjoy the places around us a little more.

Here in Slough, we’re fortunate to have green spaces, waterways and community parks that connect our neighbourhoods. Choosing active travel isn’t just good for the environment, it’s also a great way to experience these spaces and support a healthier, greener community.

Together for good, let’s see how many journeys we can make a little greener this week 🌿

In partnership with WWT London Wetland Centre The National Flood Forum Slough Borough Council Buckinghamshire Council WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre

Project Sponge is proud to be part of the wider conversation around climate, nature and community action this June during Great Big Green Week.

Across the UK, communities are coming together to create greener, more resilient places through local action.

For us, that means work ...around:
- Flood resilience
- Rain gardens and wetlands
- Greener public spaces
- Community-led environmental projects

Small local projects can have a big long-term impact on people, places and nature.

👉 Swipe through to see some of the ways Project Sponge is helping create greener, more flood-resilient spaces in Slough.

In partnership with WWT London Wetland Centre The National Flood Forum Slough Borough Council Buckinghamshire Council WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre

Climate action can look very different depending on the community.

The Reading Climate Festival runs from 6-20 June. The festival brings together community groups, organisations and local projects focused on climate action and sustainability across the region.

For Project Sponge, ...our focus is on practical local action here in Slough through flood resilience, SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Solutions), rain gardens, wetlands and greener community spaces.

Small local changes can make a big difference over time.

In partnership with WWT London Wetland Centre The National Flood Forum Slough Borough Council Buckinghamshire Council WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre

#slough #ReadingClimateFestival #UoR100 #climateaction

Big changes are starting to take shape at Stabmonk Park.

Project Sponge is working in partnership with Bellway on improvement works around Stabmonk Park and the Montem Lane area to help create a greener, safer and more connected community space.

We're working together to ...keep mature trees and only remove poor quality and younger ones where absolutely needed near the Montem development and Stabmonk Park.

While it can look dramatic at first, this work is part of a longer-term plan to improve natural habitats, create better flood storage and help the stream behave more naturally during heavy rainfall.

The vision for the area includes:
- New planting and greener spaces
- Improved natural flood management
- Better play areas and pedestrian links
- Early stages of a wetland-style environment for people and wildlife

Over time, the space will continue to evolve into a more open, accessible and nature-friendly area for the local community to enjoy.

In partnership with WWT London Wetland Centre The National Flood Forum Slough Borough Council Buckinghamshire Council WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre

Managing flood risk isn’t just about large-scale infrastructure.

It works best when communities are involved.

Successful projects:
- Work with local people
- Build skills and knowledge
- Create solutions that fit the area

When communities understand ...flooding, they’re better prepared and better protected.

That’s exactly what Project Sponge is working towards.

👉 Start here: https://projectsponge.co.uk/in-your-area/flood-hub/

In partnership with WWT London Wetland Centre The National Flood Forum Slough Borough Council Buckinghamshire Council WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre

What if the solution to flooding looked more like a garden than a drain?

Rain gardens are designed to soak up water that runs off roads and pavements, capturing and filtering it naturally before it slowly returns to the ground.

These nature-based solutions help:
💧 Reduce ...flood risk by slowing down rainwater before it reaches drains
🌧️ Take pressure off sewers during heavy rainfall, helping prevent overflow
🌱 Filter and clean water naturally before it returns to the ground
🐝 Create greener, more attractive streets that support plants and wildlife

Small changes to our streets and public spaces can play a big role in building more flood-resilient communities.

In partnership with WWT London Wetland Centre The National Flood Forum Slough Borough Council Buckinghamshire Council

Did you know the wildlife living in a stream can reveal a lot about the health of the water?

On Monday 1st June, we’re inviting the community to join us at Salt Hill Stream for a hands-on citizen science session exploring local water quality and river life.

Together, we’ll ...use Water Rangers testing kits to collect real environmental data that contributes to a wider global citizen science project monitoring the health of waterways.

We’ll also take a closer look at the species living in and around the stream, from tiny aquatic life to other signs of biodiversity that help tell the story of our local environment. 🌿

No scientific background needed. This session is designed for anyone who’s curious about nature, water, flooding, climate resilience or simply wants to get involved in something positive within the community.

📍 Salt Hill Park, SL1 3SR
⏰ 10:00 - 13:00
💷 Free to attend
☕ Light refreshments included

Registration is essential: https://f.mtr.cool/uzbfllzjwo

Come along, learn something new, meet others in the community and help contribute to real environmental research right here in Slough.

In partnership with WWT London Wetland Centre The National Flood Forum Slough Borough Council Buckinghamshire Council