As usual, we gathered at the Phoenix Cinema our GoodGym HQ and kicked things off with a chat about our favourite childhood TV shows. Classics like Blue Peter and Teletubbies got a mention, though one of us admitted to not having a TV at all .. probably the healthiest choice in hindsight!

Tonight’s mission was to visit the Tiny Forest ,always a magnet for litter , and to try our hand at that noble GoodGym art form: plogging (litter-picking while jogging). With the forecast looking grim and darkness closing in, we decided to make it more of an athletic adventure than a scientific one.

Plogging is a fine art part exercise, part medieval jousting (minus the horse, of course. The trick is to stay moving while accurately spearing bits of rubbish at speed, then deftly flicking them into your bag. Add wet leaves, gusty wind and headlamps, and you’ve got yourself a proper GoodGym challenge.

After a lively 3 km run to the Tiny Forest, we introduced Beattie and Lucy to the three new forest plots nearby part of an ongoing citizen-science experiment testing how different soil preparations affect young tree growth. Do go along and have a look; it’s fascinating to see the differences emerging.

A final round of litter-picking and some bonus plogging on the way back brought us full circle to the Phoenix, where we enjoyed a well-earned breather and some light refreshments.

Who knows with a bit more practice, perhaps GoodGym Barnet could enter the World Plogging Championships!

Tiny Forest Citizen Science Run – Tuesday Night at Its Best!

We gathered at the Phoenix Cinema under perfect summer skies — ideal running weather that had us marvelling at how different it was from the storms and snowfalls we reminisced about. The infamous storm of ‘87 came up (the one the forecasters definitely didn’t see coming!), vividly remembered by Anthony as an eight-year-old, alongside other wild weather events we’ve seen over the years. But tonight? Glorious.

After a warm-up in the Phoenix foyer, we set off on a 2km run through the backstreets and then along the leafy paths by Mutton Brook. George was our trusty back-marker, making sure no one was left behind.

At the Tiny Forest near Henley’s Corner — the same one some of us helped plant three years ago — now joined by three more tiny forest recently. We split into small groups for some citizen science: Anthony and I tackled an insect survey, while another group explored the older forest looking for pollinators cue a spirited debate about whether a nest of ladybirds counted! For the record — ladybirds are great! They help control aphids and other garden pests, making them a natural friend to forests and gardeners alike.

After logging our findings for Earthwatch, we rounded off with a plank challenge — over a minute of solid core-strengthening effort from all involved. (Highly recommended if you fancy a full-body workout at home.)

Memory had to dash off to a meeting, but the rest of us jogged back to the Phoenix, soaking up the golden hour. Huge thanks to George for bringing along some delicious vegan biscuits — a well-earned treat!

Thanks to everyone for coming, for running, and for doing good. See you next week!

430+ new trees! 🌳🌳

Nearly two months on from the planting of 3 new Tiny Forests in Barnet, GoodGym trio Jack, Paul and George were back for part 2 on another lovely, sunny spring day.

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Despite a rocky start (someone stole the Earthwatch shovels before we got to them!), we powered through and got everything planted in the right zones across the 3 newest Tiny Forests.

There were 430+ trees to get in the ground, including sessile oak, english oak, rowan, gray willow, silver birch, broom, downy birch, buckthorn and hornbream.

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The Tiny Forests will serve as a living laboratory for local citizen scientists, to collect data and investigate techniques to promote faster tree growth. Each plot uses a slightly different planting system to improve understanding of soil condition, carbon sequestrations and drainage.

In one of the Tiny Forests we planted trees using 1 cup of biochar (a modified charcoal that improves soil quality) underneath the tree roots to help Earthwatch discover its impact on growth and how it affects different tree species.

We look forward to seeing the trees grow tall!

Just a heads up - the soil is pretty parched so we may need to start watering soon, even for the ones that went in deeper. Watch this space!

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To see all upcoming GoodGym sessions in Barnet please click here.

To find out more information about Earthwatch's Tiny Forest project please click here.

1,800 new trees! 🌳🌿

Next to the North Circular, one of London's busiest roads, sits Mutton Brook. This previously under-utilised green space has now expanded from our initial Tiny Forest to four thanks to the brilliant work of 8 GoodGymers, Earthwatch, Barnet Council, school children and members from the local community.

Great work and nice one for being apart of it Scarlett, Paul, George, Daniel, Kubilay and special mention to Anastasiia and David on your first good deeds with GoodGym!

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What is a Tiny Forest and how does it help? 🌳
The 3 new Tiny Forests each hold 600 densely planted trees, using the Miyawaki method developed in Japan. Having an additional 1,800 new trees will not only help to improve local biodiversity and create more green spaces for people to connect with nature, they’ll also be used for scientific studies by Earthwatch, universities, schools, and citizen scientists.

The planting will specifically help scientists understand how trees in urban areas can grow best - the 3 plots are trialling different planting methods, using a mix of experimental and traditional techniques. We're proud to be part of such an innovative project that’s putting Barnet on the map for green solutions.

Record holders 🥇
Citizen science is a key feature of Earthwatch’s environmental research projects, providing evidence and monitoring data that are crucial to helping scientists better understand and improve the management of the natural environment.

We were also very proud to find out that our first Tiny Forest in Mutton Brook holds the record for the most data submitted - well done to all of our citizen scientists for all their data collections over the years.

Inspiring speeches 🎤
After a lovely day planting in the sunshine we then headed to Stephens House & Gardens, a beautiful space that we regularly support, for Earthwatch's evening reception. After many inspiring speeches, Paul and Daniel closed, speaking brilliantly about GoodGym and their experiences in Mutton Brook - emphasising how well the Tiny Forest connects the community and the importance of helping people benefit from connecting with nature and green spaces.

We look forward to supporting the growth of the new Tiny Forests and thank Earthwatch for being such brilliant and inspiring partners to collaborate with.

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To read BBC's feature on the Barnet Tiny Forest planting please click here.

To find out more information about Earthwatch's Tiny Forest project please click here.

With clear skies above and sturdy legs below, four Goodgymmers stormed into the darkening evening from the Phoenix Cinema. We ran a solid, mostly car-free 3km to the tinyforest, with Kubilay and Theodore. Subham kept the pace up while night scarfed up the tender eye of pitiful day. Starlight hardly pierced the twilight engulfing Lyttleton fields, so we turned on head torches.

On Falloden Way we met Gabonnet and Scarlett, who joined us in the meadow. Dark tracks from the diggers led to the newly turned earthy, where we'll be planting three new tinyforests later this month. Then, in the far corner of the forgotten fields we found the existing tinyforest.

We assembled our three birdfeeders, two with fat balls and one with seeds, entered the forest and hung the feeders on branches. Though stones have been known to move and trees to speak, we heard nary a nightingale nor late blackbird singing for supper, but we'll see what they have taken when we come back next week.

We talked about the impact of the tinyforest, the various citizen science data we could record (in daylight) and the new tinymeadow that should start blooming soon. Then, wishing a fair journey home to Scarlett, Subham and Gabrielle, three of us mustered our mettle for the 3km trek back to the Phoenix.

This was the follow up mission to finish off the group run! well done for the extra effort!