What we do
Some of our major achievements include:
- Designation as a Local Nature Reserve
We supported the work of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, owners of the Common, to ensure that the Common achieved status as a Local Nature Reserve in 2001. As a Local Nature Reserve, the Common has better protection from possible development or encroachment that has an adverse affect on the wildlife.
- Restoration of the medieval Great Pond
The ECA started work in 1975 to restore the drained medieval Great Pond. The work took four years to complete and was achieved by ECA volunteers at cost of only £180. The Nature Conservancy Council (now English Nature) contributed to these costs on condition that the pond is kept as a wildlife area.
The Great Pond is now a beautiful stretch of water covering about 6 acres. It is protected from fishing and is kept as a wildlife reserve for pondlife, amphibians and resident wildfowl such as coots, moorhen, mallard, tufted duck, great crested grebes, swans and herons. The water is also visited by less common wildfowl in the winter. The ECA won a Civic Trust Award for this work.
- All weather horseride
Our collaboration with Epsom and Ewell Borough Council led to the creation of an all weather circular horseride which contributed substantially to the preservation of the footpaths. For further information on our current activities and campaigns see the ECA Newsletter.
We work with Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (owners of the Common), English Nature and the Lower Mole Project to ensure that the Common has a long-term management plan which benefits its wildlife and residents.
We organise and chair regular meetings, Management Forums, with these interested parties, reviewing progress and working towards better management and protection of the Common.
We organise species surveys and recordings by local naturalist groups and our volunteers contribute to the Council’s database of species found on the Common.
ECOVOLS - the volunteer group of the ECA
The ECOVOLS carry out a variety of conservation projects on the Common throughout the year. For further information on these and details of how you can help us in these tasks see Get involved.
We campaign against proposed development on or adjacent to the Common which will have an adverse affect on the Common’s wildlife and habitats. In 2003, Chris Grayling, MP for Epsom and Ewell, presented a petition to the House of Commons against the proposed roundabout on Christ Church Road, opposite Stew Ponds car park. A copy was also sent to Epsom and Ewell Borough Council and Surrey County Council.
We organise a range of events, such as guided walks and talks for our members. For further details see Events.
