Key Points
- Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Danny Rich, made his first visit to the Barnet Environment Centre in Byng Road, armed with binoculars to observe the site’s diverse birdlife.
- He congratulated volunteers for creating a “fantastic educational resource” for local children.
- Between February and the end of the coming summer term, 2,000 pupils from across the borough are scheduled to attend classes at the centre, with a waiting list of schools eager to participate.
- During the first ten minutes of his walk around the nature reserve, Councillor Rich spotted four goldfinches, a blue tit, a great tit, and a crow flying overhead, alongside Bernard Johnson, vice chair of the Friends of Barnet Environment Centre.
- Councillor Rich, a member of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), expressed amazement at the richness of the birdlife.
- The visit coincided with celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the environment centre, including a tour of facilities such as the classroom where education manager Robyn Stern teaches children about the reserve.
- Councillor Rich, a long-time Barnet resident of 20 years, described himself as thrilled to finally visit the centre, which plays a key role in educating children about nature.
- He stated, “Although here in Barnet we live in a relatively green area, children do need to come here to learn about the environment.”
- As a birdwatcher, he called it “a real privilege to see so many birds in such a short time” and pledged to book his next visit immediately.
- Councillor Rich promised to attend the centre’s annual early morning dawn chorus gathering on the first Sunday in May, following last year’s event led by Bob Husband of the RSPB, where 33 different species were identified or observed.
Byng Road, Barnet (North London News) – 12 January 2026 – The Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Danny Rich, visited the Barnet Environment Centre for the first time, using binoculars to spot a variety of birds and praising its role as a vital educational hub for borough schoolchildren. Accompanied by volunteers, he toured the nature reserve amid celebrations for the centre’s 50th anniversary. Some 2,000 pupils are set to visit between February and summer, highlighting its growing popularity.
Why Did the Mayor Visit the Barnet Environment Centre?
The visit by Councillor Danny Rich to the Barnet Environment Centre in Byng Road served to mark the conclusion of events celebrating the centre’s 50th anniversary. As reported in coverage of the event, he took the opportunity to tour the facilities, including the classroom led by education manager Robyn Stern, where children learn to identify elements of the reserve. His presence underscored the centre’s importance as a community asset after 50 years of operation.
Councillor Rich, pictured above left with Bernard Johnson, vice chair of the Friends of Barnet Environment Centre, began his tour with a walk around the nature reserve. In the first ten minutes, he identified four goldfinches in the surrounding trees, a blue tit, a great tit, and a crow flying overhead. This quick observation left him amazed by the site’s birdlife richness.
As a member of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Councillor Rich could not resist the chance to “get his eye in,” given his personal interest in birdwatching. After living in Barnet for the last 20 years, he expressed thrill at finally visiting a centre dedicated to alerting children to nature’s importance.
What Makes the Barnet Environment Centre an Educational Resource?
Councillor Danny Rich congratulated the volunteers for establishing what he called a “fantastic educational resource” for local children. The centre hosts classes for pupils across the borough, with 2,000 scheduled to attend between February and the end of the coming summer term. A waiting list of schools keen to participate demonstrates surging demand.
In the classroom, education manager Robyn Stern introduces children to the reserve’s features, fostering hands-on learning about the environment. Councillor Rich acknowledged Barnet’s relatively green character but stressed the need for dedicated spaces like this one. He stated,
“Although here in Barnet we live in a relatively green area, children do need to come here to learn about the environment.”
The centre’s programmes aim to bridge gaps in urban children’s exposure to nature, making it a cornerstone for environmental education in North London. Volunteers maintain the site, ensuring its viability as a teaching tool amid growing interest from schools.
Which Birds Did the Mayor Spot During His Visit?
With binoculars at the ready, Councillor Danny Rich quickly engaged with the reserve’s wildlife. In just the first ten minutes of his walk, he picked out four goldfinches perched in the surrounding trees, alongside a blue tit, a great tit, and a crow soaring overhead. Bernard Johnson, vice chair of the Friends of Barnet Environment Centre, joined him during this observation.
The diversity impressed the mayor, who as an RSPB member and avid birdwatcher found the experience particularly rewarding. He described it as
“a real privilege to see so many birds in such a short time.”
This encounter highlighted the reserve’s appeal as a haven for birdlife in an urban setting.
Such sightings align with the centre’s strengths, drawing enthusiasts and educators alike to its habitats.
How Does the Centre Celebrate Its Milestones?
The mayor’s visit helped celebrate the end of events for the Barnet Environment Centre’s 50th anniversary. This milestone provided a platform to showcase facilities and ongoing work, including educational outreach. Councillor Rich used the occasion to tour the site fully, gaining insight into its operations.
Last year’s dawn chorus event, led by Bob Husband of the RSPB, identified or observed 33 different species, setting a high bar for future gatherings. Councillor Rich promised to keep free the first Sunday in May for this year’s annual early morning event. He said,
“I want to book my next visit straightaway.”
These celebrations reinforce the centre’s legacy, blending commemoration with forward-looking community engagement.
What Is the Future for Visits and Events at the Centre?
Looking ahead, the centre anticipates strong participation from schools, with 2,000 pupils booked through the summer term. The waiting list signals potential expansion of programmes to meet demand. Councillor Rich’s endorsement as mayor could boost visibility and support.
His commitment to the May dawn chorus underscores personal investment in the site’s activities. Events like these, building on successes such as last year’s 33-species count under Bob Husband, promise continued appeal for birdwatchers and families.
The centre remains poised to deepen its role in Barnet’s environmental education, leveraging volunteer efforts and facilities like Robyn Stern’s classroom.
Why Is Birdwatching Thriving at Barnet Environment Centre?
The reserve’s birdlife abundance surprised even a seasoned observer like Councillor Danny Rich. His RSPB membership and self-described birdwatching hobby made the visit especially engaging. Spotting multiple species rapidly demonstrated the site’s ecological value.
Barnet’s green areas support such diversity, but the centre concentrates it for accessible learning. Councillor Rich’s amazement reflects broader potential to draw public interest in urban wildlife.
This visit positions the centre as a model for nature reserves fostering both recreation and education.
How Does the Mayor’s Visit Impact Local Environmental Awareness?
Councillor Rich’s statements emphasise the centre’s role in teaching children about nature’s importance. After 20 years in Barnet, his first-hand discovery amplifies its profile. He noted the privilege of the birdwatching and eagerness for return trips.
By promising attendance at the dawn chorus, he signals civic leadership in environmental causes. This could inspire more borough residents to engage with the reserve.
The event aligns with ongoing efforts to highlight Barnet’s natural assets amid urban development pressures.
In total, the visit by Councillor Danny Rich to the Barnet Environment Centre underscores a blend of celebration, education, and personal passion for nature. Volunteers’ work in creating this resource continues to yield benefits, from school programmes to birdwatching opportunities. As the centre enters its next chapter post-50th anniversary, its waiting lists and high-profile endorsements point to sustained relevance in North London’s community landscape. The mayor’s observations of goldfinches, tits, and crows serve as a vivid reminder of accessible wildlife in Byng Road. With figures like Robyn Stern and Bernard Johnson steering operations, and events led by experts such as Bob Husband, the site stands as a testament to grassroots environmental stewardship. Barnet residents, green borough or not, gain a focused venue to connect with the natural world, as championed by their mayor.
