Kingston Council has today (Tuesday, 9 June) that it has successfully secured £19,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for community-led biodiversity improvements on Steven's Ait.

Steven's Ait (also known as Steven's Eyot) is an island on the River Thames located at the north end of Canbury Gardens.

It is also home to The Small Boat Club which, in partnership with the council, will be working to improve upon the biodiversity and ecological value of the island.

The project will see a number of improvements and additions thanks to National Lottery players, including:

• Two new sand martin nesting banks to encourage these migratory birds to visit and nest on site.
• A floating swan nest specifically designed to protect the resident swans' eggs from fluctuating water levels.
• New pollinator planters situated near the Boat House to support bees and butterflies.

Councillor Mike Massimi, portfolio holder for climate action, biodiversity and regulatory services, said: "Stevens Ait is a real hidden gem right in the heart of Kingston, and thanks to National Lottery players, we can now do something meaningful to protect and enhance the wildlife that calls it home.

"Sand martins, nesting swans, pollinators, these aren't abstract biodiversity targets, they're part of what makes this stretch of the Thames so special.

"The floating gabions in particular will transform a section of harsh concrete banking into a living habitat, and that kind of practical, lasting improvement is exactly what this funding should be used for.

"I'm grateful to The Small Boat Club for their partnership on this, empowering and engaging local groups is what turns a funded project into something that genuinely endures."

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Simon Price, Commodore of The Small Boat Club added: "The Small Boat Club is delighted to support these excellent projects as part of our commitment to enhancing the biodiversity of Steven's Ait and beyond.

"Our members will ensure that they are nurtured from establishment to maturity."

A central feature of the work is the installation of modular floating gabions, which will soften a section of the island's harsh concrete banking by providing an area that absorbs the impact of the river flow and supports native aquatic plants.

These gabions act as a living buffer, creating a secluded ecological zone that encourages water fowl nesting and provides a refuge for river wildlife.

You can read more about the council's work to improve and enhance the borough's biodiversity by visiting its website.

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