Hasan Al-Islam: nature apprentice

Everyone has an #energystory #14.

Q: How can I connect with nature in Islington, the London borough with the least green space? And how does that help tackle climate change?

Each Energy Story interview is inspired by the questions local people ask Islington Faces about cutting carbon/tackling the climate crisis. For this interview we look at the way nature boosts help people and planet.

Everyone has a story. Landscape gardener Hasan Al-Islam began his career with an apprenticeship at Islington Ecology Centre. Here he talks about the joy of nature in Islington, his legacy at Barnsbury Wood, and how helping nature helps us all to tackle climate change. Q&A with Nicola Baird. Photos by Kimi Gill.

 

 

Q: How well do you know Islington Ecology Centre and Gillespie Park?
I did my apprenticeship for Islington Council with Islington Ecology Centre and was there from November 2016 until November 2018. In that time, I assisted with the conservation of the natural environment and wildlife and assisted with the care of three nature reserves in Islington (Barnsbury Wood, Gillespie Park and Parkland Walk) learning about grassland, scrubland, wetland, woodland, pond, meadow and garden management. I also supported with the maintenance, preservation, protection and conservation of wildlife habitats in these nature reserves.

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Q: What did you like best about your time as an apprentice?
I enjoyed creating a pamphlet about Barnsbury Wood – this was one of my greatest achievements before I left Islington Ecology Centre. Barnsbury Wood will always forever have a special place in my heart! I also successfully completed my apprenticeship, learning and studying Horticulture at Capel Manor College and working with volunteers.

Q: Were you into nature before you started the apprenticeship?
I was interested in nature before I did the apprenticeship. I love the world of flowering plants, the art and science of plants as well as the aesthetic beauty of plants and flowers – the flower colour and the foliage colour. Also, I love the therapeutic feeling I have when I am in greenery and nature, surrounded by plants and flowers.

Q: What’s your connection to Islington?
I was brought up in Islington and I’m currently living in Islington. I went to school and college in Islington. All of my life to date is Islington.

Q: What’s your current job like?
I’m a Landscape Maintenance Operative. I feel I am doing a job that is tackling climate change, because gardens will become more critical in providing services such as the provision of habitats for wildlife that might otherwise be lost to development.

Q: How should we choose plants for Islington gardens?
Plant native plants in gardens, or on any land you own, to provide food and shelter for native wildlife, and to help preserve their natural habitats. Native plants can also attract native insects like bees and butterflies that help pollinate plants.

Q: What are your tips for spending more time outside whatever the weather?

1. Provide a park and facilities for the benefit of the public.
2. Provide facilities for recreation and leisure, for the benefit of the public.
3. Promote, for the benefit of the public, the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the area.
4. Education of the public in the subject of the history of the area.
5. Promote community participation in healthy recreation.

The three nature reserves Hasan Al-Islam mentions are open as follows:

• Barnsbury Wood, Crescent Street N1 is London’s smallest local nature reserve. Home to wildlife including long-tailed tit, lesser stage beetle, common toad and the 16-spot ladybird. It is open on Tuesdays from 2pm-4pm. From July – Septembers volunteers help keep it open, but check first. Dogs are not allowed.
• Gillespie Park Local Nature Reserve, 191 Drayton Park, N5 is Islington’s nature jewel, a 2.8ha nature reserve with a pond where there are 244 species of plants, 94 species of birds and 24 types of butterfly. Check out the snowdrops in January. For opening times double check tel 020 7527 4374 or email ecologycentre@islington.gov.uk It is open from 8am to dusk daily, except when there are events at Arsenal stadium when it is closed. Find entrances at Drayton Park, Gillespie Road, Quill Street and Seven Sisters Road. Also see the Friends of Gillespie Park. Volunteers meet every Thursday here from 10am – 3.30pm.
• Parkland Walk is at 4.5 miles London’s longest nature reserve. It was a former railway line running from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace, but is now an ideal place for a walk or a bike ride. It is managed by Islington Council and Haringey. Join the Islington sections at Crouch Hill, near Ella Road and Blythwood Road. Also see the Friends of the Parkland Walk.
• Islington Ecology Centre, in Gillespie Park, is at 191 Drayton Park, N5. It can be hired for private events, yoga, family parties etc. Tel 020 7527 4374 or email ecologycentre@islington.gov.uk
• You can also see Islington Council’s Biodiversity Action Plan 2020-2025, which can be read in conjunction with the Net Zero 2030 policy. Download here.

Over to you
Also if you’d like to nominate someone to be interviewed who grew up, lives or works in Islington, or suggest yourself, please let me know, via islingtonfaces@gmail.com Thank you to Sally for suggesting this interviewee. If you enjoyed this post you might like to look at the A-Z  index, or search by interviewee’s roles or Meet Islingtonians to find friends, neighbours and inspiration. Thanks for stopping by. Nicola