 Free arts and cultural activities to inspire climate action
For the first time ever, we are partnering with Bath Spa University, House of Imagination and Grant Associates to bring the award-winning Forest of Imagination to the borough.
This unique arts project inspires people to explore environmental issues through creativity and artistic expression.
Wokingham Borough’s Forest of Imagination 2025 is bringing a celebration of nature-themed art and cultural experiences to our residents in March, offering something for everyone in the community
Sign up online to secure your spot for these exciting activities across the borough in March. These activities include spoken word performances, immersive story worlds, ecological storytelling and drawing sessions with well-known illustrators and much more.
Wokingham Borough’s Forest of Imagination will culminate in a celebratory four-day showcase at Dinton Pastures Country Park in Hurst, from 22 to 25 May, featuring sensory installations co-created by professional artists and schools and incorporating ideas from local community groups.
There will also be participatory activities, performances and digital experiences for visitors to enjoy and deepen their connections to nature.
The project is fully funded by a grant from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
 Help to make your local area shine with litter pick
Come join the borough-wide Annual Litter Pick on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 March.
Organised in support of Keep Britain Tidy's Great British Spring Clean campaign, no previous experience is needed and it is a great opportunity to improve the local environment and spread awareness of keeping the borough tidy.
The litter picking events are taking place at various locations across the borough. Visit our website to find out how to contact your local organiser if you are interested.
To take part in a litter pick, you will need to wear gloves and sturdy shoes. We encourage you to bring your own litter picker and hi-vis vest, but if you don't have any, we have a limited number available. Bags will also be given out to collect litter.
 Take part in planting project to remember loved ones
Join us in planting a tree as we remember those we lost during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Covid Memorial Woodland will be located to the north of California Country Park in Finchampstead.
There will be two sessions every day from Wednesday 19 March to Saturday 22 March, starting at 9.30am and 1pm.
This project has been a long-held ambition of ours, giving residents somewhere to pay their respects and reflect. It will also help us to build on our commitment to making the borough carbon neutral.
Around 1,000 trees are set to be planted over the four days, but about 6,700 trees are being planted in the woodland overall. There will be 17 different species, including hazel, English oak and wild cherry, with the aim of replicating the existing species nearby and to help biodiversity to flourish.
We will be able to provide a limited number of spades, but we would encourage you to bring one if you have it.
Numbers are limited for each event, so sign up now for your preferred timeslot and to find out more.
 Join millions by switching off for Earth Hour
This year, Earth Hour will be at 8.30pm on Saturday 22 March. The initiative encourages people around the world to switch off their lights and non-essential electricity for one hour.
Started by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), it is a reminder that small actions can make a big difference in helping to reduce our carbon footprint.
There are plenty of ideas on what to do during the one hour switch off including:
We will be taking part at our Shute End offices in Wokingham and would love to know if you are getting involved in Earth Hour by sending the Climate Emergency Team an email.
 Up close wildlife experience at nature park
Schoolchildren recently enjoyed an eye-opening birdwatching experience at Finchwood Park in Finchampstead, led by our ecologist. They learned about the birds commonly spotted in the area, such as red kites, redwings and herons.
We worked with the developer David Wilson Homes to organise this ecological tour for the pupils from Nine Mile Ride Primary School, in support of this year's Big Schools’ Birdwatch organised by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
Finchwood Park is one of the nature parks we look after in the borough to protect local wildlife and habitats. The site is made up of a range of natural habitats, including meadows, woodland, hedgerows and ponds.
As the weather is getting warmer and the days growing longer, we encourage you to visit and enjoy the greenspaces on your doorstep. They are all free to use and open all year round.
 Helping you to recycle paper with confidence
Let’s clear up some common misconceptions about paper recycling and help you become a recycling pro.
Myth 1: Pizza boxes can't be recycled. Used pizza boxes can be recycled in your green recycling bag, but any clumps of cheese, toppings or crusts should go straight into your food waste caddy. A small amount of oil in the pizza box, though not ideal, won’t be a problem.
Myth 2: Pringles tubes can't be recycled. Thanks to the new paper bottom, Pringles tubes can now be recycled with other paper in your green bag.
Myth 3: Milk cartons can't be recycled. Despite being lined with plastic, paper milk cartons are still recyclable with other paper products. Also, keep the plastic caps on, as they can be separated during the recycling process.
Myth 4: Glossy magazines can't be recycled. Glossy paper is just regular paper made shiny with additives, so it is recyclable.
Myth 5: Labels or sticky tape on cartons need to be removed. You don’t have to worry about the labels or sticky tape on paper cartons, as these will be screened out in the recycling process. The same applies to the windows on envelopes.
Myth 6: Disposable coffee cups are recyclable. Coffee cups aren't recyclable, because the thin plastic coating inside is extremely difficult to separate from the cup. Also, the lids are mostly made of low-quality plastic, so they can't be recycled either. Bring your own cup to save money and reduce waste next time when you buy a coffee.
Myth 7: Paper can only be recycled a few times. The fibres in paper start to break down after they have been recycled five or six times. However, the material can still be used to make egg cartons, packaging, loft insulation, paint and even new road surfaces.
 Blister pack recycling scheme launches at Boots
Boots have recently launched a blister pack recycling scheme at 800 stores across the UK, following a successful pilot in London and the southeast last year.
Plastic packaging in the UK accounts for nearly 70 per cent of our plastic waste, making this initiative a significant win for recycling.
Empty blister packs taken back to Boots stores will be recycled into playground equipment and furniture. Any brand of blister packs can be recycled through the scheme.
Additionally, Boots members can earn rewards for participating in the scheme.
 How you can win prizes for getting active this spring
It's time to start enjoying the fresh air more and the latest competition from Love to Ride gives you another great reason to get outside, stay active and reduce your carbon footprint!
Ride, Walk, Wheel Week is an exciting active travel challenge that takes place from Monday 24 to Sunday 30 March.
Whether you cycle, walk or wheel, you only have to swap one car journey for an active trip, but you can do more if you want to.
Just log your journeys on the Love to Ride app, and you will be entered into a prize draw. The more trips you log, the more chances you have to win.
Remember, it's not about how many miles you do, but getting outside and encouraging others to join you.
If you're getting your bike out of storage, here are some things to consider:
Help is also at hand from our free Dr Bike checks and maintenance courses.
 Making electric vehicle charging accessible for all
We've agreed to adopt an Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy to make it easier for everyone to make the switch.
It aims to fill any gaps left by the private market, creating a fair charging network for all residents and businesses.
The strategy was produced following a detailed survey to help us understand people's needs, and will form part of our Local Transport Plan.
As well as helping to reduce vehicle emissions, which supports our air quality and climate emergency goals, it will put us in a strong position for the upcoming national ban on sales of petrol and diesel vehicles.
Future installations will be funded mostly by grants from the Department for Transport, along with fully-funded models from chargepoint operators.
We will prioritise residential areas with no off-street parking, as this makes it hard for people to install a home charger, focusing on land and car parks that we own.
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