From Waste to Wildlife: Park Naturally Regenerated After Conservation Efforts

A park in Stratford, London, is now thriving following a regenerative effort that took place in preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games.

“We have kingfishers, otters, eels and it’s incredible that nationally scarce species of bees have been found here. I’m proud of what’s been achieved so far but there is always more we can do,” says Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park ecologist Mr Bellamy.

Before the 2012 Olympic Games, the Stratford site – now known as London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – was considered an industrial wasteland, characterised by contaminated soil, polluted waterways, and illegally dumped waste. Although the 2012 Olympic Games initiated their regeneration, a recent study reveals that it has been successful in the long term, as flora and fauna are now abundant. The park serves as a poignant reminder that even contaminated sites can once again flourish with the return of nature, given just a little help.