On Tuesday 23rd September, Canary Wharf will be holding its second Green Canary Day – a series of events, displays and exhibition stands in and around the estate offering information on what Canary Wharf and related organisations do to help the environment, as well as advice on what people can do individually to help create a greener working place.

Green Canary Day, an initiative by Canary Wharf Group, aims to encourage everyone to become more environmentally aware in the workplace. As well as the Canary Wharf stand, those exhibiting will include a number of companies and organisations who work with Canary Wharf in providing services, material and resources specialising in energy efficiency, recycling and waste management as well as community involvement and social responsibility. This year’s events will be focussing on themes of recycling and ecology.

Last year’s Green Canary Day was so popular that the 2003 version has been expanded to include initiatives encompassing the local community. Canary Wharf Group has become involved in Tower Hamlets’ Action Against Waste campaign which involves local schools and aims to educate about waste minimisation. Canary Wharf Group intends to launch an ecology competition involving these local schools.

Various events will be happening throughout the Canary Wharf Estate during the day including a demonstration by a team of falcons and hawks whose handler will talk about the work they do to deter pigeons from the estate. This will be in the dramatic settings of Canada Square Park, flanked on three sides by towers and Jubilee Park, the recently completed jewel in the crown of Canary Wharf’s landscaped areas. It covers an area approximately the same size as Trafalgar Square and consists of undulating lawns and serpentine water features, providing a pastoral setting that contrasts with the urban context.

Guided walks around the estate will be conducted throughout the day, taking in the landscaped areas as well as the ecology of the area.The walk will highlight our water and garden habitats, as well as the more unusual locations for flora and fauna such as the roof-tops of buildings planted with sedum. These roofs offer valuable environmental benefits as well as providing an undisturbed habitat and food for wildlife including one of Britain’s rarest birds, the black redstart. An additional fauna box will be “opened” in Jubilee Park, to add to the ones which already exist on top of One Canada Square and Westferry Circus.
Canary Wharf runs a number of schemes for recycling glass, paper products and even fluorescent light bulbs and the development’s energy-efficient building designs have been ranked as some of the highest for environmental performance. A host of Green Canaries will be handing out information leaflets on the day. The day will be packed with things to do and see with environmentally themed entertainment roving throughout the Estate as well as giveways and competitions.

Green Canary Day is a free event, which takes place throughout the estate on Tuesday 23rd September.