With local elections in London and Essex coming round on 7th May 2026, we are launching our Love Epping Forest manifesto to put Epping Forest on the agenda.
Why are local elections important to Epping Forest?
The Forest, 6,000-acres of ancient woodland, heathland and lakes linking London and Essex, is owned and managed by the City of London Corporation, and its legal protections come from the 1878 Epping Forest Act. But local councils can still play a significant role in protecting and enhancing the Forest for the benefits of their residents; pollution, climate change, health and wellbeing, planning, transport and accessibility all fall within their remit.
Through our 2024 awareness campaign for elections in Epping Forest District, 41 candidates pledged their love for the Forest, of whom 10 were elected to office. Forming relationships with these candidates and councillors has had a great impact. Many have become regular attendees at our public walks and other events, and continue to advocate for the Forest through their elected roles.
Now, in May 2026, Epping Forest locals will be voting in five different local authorities! Elections are taking place in Epping Forest District, Essex, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest.
Since 2024, many of the problems facing Epping Forest have remained the same – climate change, the biodiversity crisis, adjacent development, pollution, increased footfall, but more have arisen, including from national planning law and regulations. Despite research demonstrating the profound positive effects of nature, exercise and heritage on people’s mental and physical well-being, the Forest is under threat like never before.
In this critical moment, a Forest-minded local authority has the opportunity to make a lasting mark on the natural world and the communities it supports by working with the City of London Corporation, EFHT and other local community organisations, to help to protect the Forest for generations to come.
What are we asking for?
Once again, we are asking candidates in the local election to make specific commitments in relation to protecting the Forest for all of us now, and for the enjoyment of generations to come.
“Love Epping Forest Manifesto” 2026 Launch
We welcome members, local people and other interested parties to the launch of our “Love Epping Forest Manifesto” on Thursday 17th March 2026, 12.30-1.30pm.
We will share our campaign “asks” of local candidates in the May elections in Epping Forest District, Essex , Redbridge, Waltham Forest and Newham. The pledges we are asking candidates to make have come out of our extensive research and engagement work: attendees of our guided walks and conservation sessions, Forest visitors we’ve spoken to at public events, participants in our member and visitor surveys and our own policy volunteers have all offered key insights into the issues most affecting Epping Forest and its local communities. We invite you to come and hear what we are asking local council candidates to commit to, and to discuss how we can ensure local councils act to enhance the lives of their constituents and help protect Epping Forest for generations to come.
If you are a member of public, here’s how you can help
If you are a member of the public, you can…
- Share your stories of Epping Forest with us. Send photos or written anecdotes of treasured memories in the Forest, either through email at policy@efht.org.uk, or by tagging us on Instagram and Facebook using #LoveEppingForest
- Share our manifesto with the candidates in your local ward, through email, Instagram, Facebook or Linkedin
- Become a volunteer and get involved with our election campaigns work, or any of the other work of our campaigns and policy team
Become a volunteer
Whatever your skills or background, however much time you can give, you can make a difference.
Election campaign in 2024
View our campaigns around General Election, London Mayoral and Assembly Member elections, as well as elections in Epping Forest District Council.