OWL is an initiative which works at Snaresbrook to remove litter in order to make the place pleasant for all users of the area.

In 2025 OWL is in its tenth year. During its time in operation OWL volunteers have collected hundreds of sacksfull of litter – especially sexual debris. And in that same time a significant change has occurred, with many more guys now disposing of their litter considerately.

OWL wants to ensure that everyone who enjoys the area can continue doing so, whatever their reasons for being there.

OWL runs regular monthly litter-picks which are attended by anyone who cares to come along. Mainly, but not exclusively, those of us who cruise in the area or who have done so in the past. Some OWLs undertake solo litterpicks, helping to minimise the level of litter between our monthly sessions. We feel that it is up to all of us to try to keep the area as clean and inoffensive as possible. It’s for our own good – the less mess there is left lying around the fewer complaints there will be. And consequently the less liklihood that others who use the area will call for ‘enforcement’. Many who have enjoyed their time there (and haven’t some of us had some fun!) feel that it’s good to put something back.

PLEASE consider joining one of our monthly litter-picking sessions. We are a friendly group who don’t take ourselves too seriously and always welcome those who are prepared to join us for a couple of hours of litter-picking. We provide gloves, litter-pickers and rubbish bags as well as free refreshments for our mid-morning break. We supply temporary Car Parking Permits to allow volunteers free parking while undertaking OWL litterpicks. It’s not unknown for there to be some ‘quality control’ carried out in the woods at the end of a litterpicking session!

As we undertake them throughout the year we post reports from, and pictures taken at, our litterpicking sessions. See the Pix of Picks page.

Want to read what OWL has received about the Epping Forest Habitat Restoration Programme? Click here.