WELCOME TO RICHMOND ENVIRONMENT NETWORK (REN) REN is an umbrella body or hub that brings together the environmental and sustainability voluntary & community sector (groups, organisations & schools working on environmental projects) within the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, promoting information about them, their activities and events while also providing a support and development role. In addition REN has its own projects and subgroups to increase environmental activity, biological diversity and sustainable thinking & practice in the borough. Use this site to find out more About Us and Our Projects which divide into: N.B. using our website - blue text highlights weblinks to other pages which open in a new tab/window - so you have to turn your pop up blocker off or hold down the Ctrl button whilst clicking on a link) Our work with communities/residents in the borough           An Events Calendar of environmental activities in the borough A Groups Database of local groups in the borough Our Environment Forum Series of public meetings Would you like to Get More Involved? A list of current opportunities in the team and opportunities with other organisations Sustainability Briefing Papers an unbias guide to renewables at home in plain English Our work supporting environmental groups & organisations in the borough         Our Learning page contains links to handbooks, how-to guides (including setting up your own group/charity), insurance, legal & policy and training courses Our Environmental Groups's Forum brings together environmental groups in the borough Our Funding information page enbales groups to find sources of funding for their activities Our Resource Library contain items that can be borrowed by local groups Our work supporting local schools (and non environmental groups) with their environmental projects         Schools Environment Forum, (our last SEF on the 19th May 2009) bringing together schools working on environmental projects with organisations that can provide support   Funders and Competitions for schools   Resources for schools and other sources of information   ZWIN - Zero Waste Initiative helps voluntary organisations & schools reduce costs by developing sound environmental policies and practices aimed at the reduction of waste and the improved use of resources. Link to external websites (we are not responsible for the content of external websites) Facebook - Richmond Environment Network has a Facebook page where you can view our forthcoming events and browse photos without being a member of Facebook. If do decided to join both Facebook and our page you can contribute in discussions or post on our wall. Our page is open to all with an interest in the environment. Twickenham River Centre Follow the link above for information on the proposed Twickenham River Centre being developed by the Environment Trust which aims to provide education about the river and sustainability by using the River Thames as a teaching tool and the proposed building itself about sustainable buildings through design, construction and materials used. *new* The site also contains a video discussion between David Attenborogh and Bamber Gascoigne about the River Centre. Transition Town Richmond upon Thames? Have you heard about this initiative and wondered what's happening locally? We would very interested to hear from anybody who would be willing to get involved in this campaign. Online Communities - (community news) including environmental news.   Interested in environmental activities outside of Richmond upon Thames? London 21 Sustainability Network  - promotes, supports and networks community-based initiatives for a greener, healthier and more sustainable Greater London. London 21 also co-ordinates what is believed to be the largest sustainability festival in the world, the Love London - Green Festival, which runs the month of June yearly. Ecomotion - Less of the virtual and more of the reality, Ecomotion is a green social networking site with a difference. Ecomotion creates the tools online, you create the action offline. Project Dirt - Project Dirt is an active community, linking environmental projects. They are currently trialling in South London, but open to all! Small print - we are not the Council!

Things We Would Like to Highlight & Our Popular Pages  Richmond Biodiversity Group the group is responsible for drawing up action plans to protect local species and habitats deemed at risk nationally Our Projects a list of all our current projects Events Calendar of local environmental activities Getting Involved with REN (positions available within the team, including ZWIN Assessors) Green Drinks (Richmond upon Thames) our social event open to all eco conscious people living, working or volunteering locally. Come along enjoy yourself in a relaxed atmosphere with like minded people. Drinking green drinks is not compulsory! ZWIN (Zero Waste Initiative) helps voluntary organisations & schools reduce costs by developing sound environmental policies and practices aimed at the reduction of waste and the improved use of resources. Our latest group to join our database and have a page on our website is Westerly Ware Association in Kew. Contacting us (our office in the glorious snow of Feb 2009) You can do this through our Contact Us page (using this system help us avoids spam emails). Write to us: 6 Upper Deck, Phoenix Wharf, Eel Pie Island, Twickenham TW1 3DY Call us on 020 8892 0590 Downloadable directions to our office from Twickenham Station or from the footbridge to the Island and you should also check the tide times here (otherwise you might get stuck!) You can also catch Colin Cooper (REN Co-ordinator) at Twickenham Farmers' Market most Saturday mornings.