Friends of Foots Cray Meadows have organised a tree planting event in the meadows on Saturday (dec 4) to coincide with National Tree Planting Week. Anyone who would like to help can meet at the meadows’ Wildlife Information centre off Rectory Lane, Foots Cray, at 10am.

Join members of Lesnes Abbey Conservation Volunteers on December 12, as they create traditional fencing from wood gathered during the recent coppicing of the woodland. Meet by the information centre near the abbey ruins at Lesnes Abbey Wood in Abbey Road, Abbey Wood at noon. Call 0208 317 3748.

Transport for London is undertaking the first UK trials of dust supressants in two areas of the capital with high levels of particulates in the air. London is in danger of breaching EU legal limits on particulates and needs to do something to control the pollution.The solution being trialed sticks to the minute dust particles and prevents them from re-circulating.

The RSPB is urging people not to cut their hedges until the last berries of autumn have disappeared. It says a sudden influx of waxwings from Scandinavia could be due to the poor berry crop there this year. They have been spotted everywhere from parks to supermarket car parks with their distinctive crest and black “mask” around the eyes and yellow-tipped tail.

Buying a locally grown real Christmas tree could be a greener option than an articial one. Most artificial trees are imported from far away places adding to the carbon footprint and are not biodegradable. Real trees produce oxygen while they are growing and new replacement ones are grown every year. They can also be composted at end of the festive season or replanted if you buy one with roots.