From Ice Age to Wetlands – the Lea Valley’s Return to Nature was inspired by the imaginative community-focused project known as Walthamstow Wetlands. The Walthamstow Reservoirs in Waltham Forest, London are being transformed into an urban wetland nature reserve which will give visitors free access to the wildlife and industrial heritage of this historic area.

In this book, Jim Lewis highlights the many and various major events that have helped to shape the Lea Valley and its environs. He also takes the opportunity to explain how scientists, engineers, developers and agriculturalists are coming together in their understanding of the importance of helping industry, agriculture and nature to co-exist by developing new ways of protecting our diminishing natural resources.

Many of the stories within this book come together to demonstrate how the Lea Valley region is a microcosm of global environmental events that have serious implications for our planet. The Walthamstow Wetlands project is just one example of how the Lea Valley is working to transform the effects of its industrial past and give due attention to the natural environment.