British Empire Medal for Brent River Park champion, Kabir Kaul
Brent River Park charity Special Adviser, Kabir Kaul, has received the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s Birthday Honours, for services to Nature.
Kabir’s BEM recognises his environmental advocacy since 2018, a significant part of which includes his work in the Brent River Park in the Boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow. Kabir joined the Charity as Special Adviser in 2023, after his leading role in campaigning for the protection of Warren Farm Nature Reserve in Southall. The charity created a petition to grant the site Local Nature Reserve designation in 2021, which received over 26,000 signatures. In November 2023, Kabir featured on Chris Packham’s show 8 out of 10 Bats, explaining the ecological importance and biodiversity value of Warren Farm as a rewilded nature reserve.
The 61-acre Grassland and Wildflower Meadow, home to over a quarter of London’s breeding Skylark population, was granted Local Nature Reserve designation in March this year by Ealing Council. At the celebration of the Brent River Park’s 50th anniversary in 2025, Kabir unveiled one of three commemorative signs, together with the Mayor of Ealing, Cllr Anthony Kelly. The signs share the history of previous campaigners and charity founders Luke and Kay FitzHerbert whose idea it was to create a connected green and blue corridor spanning 7km that follow the River Brent.
Through his work with Brent River Park, Kabir is providing advice on the proposed West London Regional Park, a major initiative to connect green and blue spaces from the Brent River Park corridor through to the River Thames. The project builds on the pioneering vision of Luke FitzHerbert and has secured £2.5 million in funding, including £1.5 million from the Mayor of London and £1 million from the Nature Towns and Cities Programme, supported by the National Lottery.
Kabir served on the RSPB Youth Council between 2019 and 2025, and the Mayor of London’s Rewilding Taskforce between 2022 and 2023. He is currently studying geography at the University of Birmingham and hopes to work in environmental policy after he graduates next year.
Kabir said:
“It feels surreal to receive a BEM for my work in environmental advocacy. I still can’t believe it myself! I hope this recognition draws even more attention to the importance of nature in cities, integral to our health, wellbeing and climate resilience. I’m especially grateful to my friends at the Brent River Park Charity for their knowledge and dedication.
“When the petition to save Warren Farm was launched in 2020, securing protection for the site felt impossible, but the sheer commitment of the Charity and our supporters has recently made this a reality. Access to green and blue spaces is becoming even more relevant in Ealing and Hounslow through the proposed West London Regional Park, which I hope will enable many more communities to notice and appreciate the urban wildlife on their doorstep.”
Chair of the Brent River Park charity, Katie Boyles, commented:
“I first met Kabir in 2020, surrounded by singing Skylarks at what has now officially become Warren Farm Nature Reserve. His knowledge, passion and infectious enthusiasm were unmissable. Kabir is a force of nature in every sense of the word, and his commitment to wildlife and people’s access to nature makes him a remarkable advocate for the natural world.
“The idea of securing Local Nature Reserve status for Warren Farm and the surrounding Brent River Park meadows began with an inspiring conversation with Kabir. Our charity volunteers embraced that vision and together helped make it a reality, while his guidance and leadership have been invaluable in safeguarding this rare meadow habitat for future generations to enjoy.
“It is beyond wonderful to see Kabir’s tireless work recognised with the British Empire Medal. It is a richly deserved honour for someone who has inspired so many people to give a voice for nature.”
The BEM medals will be awarded by the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London at a prestigious ceremony later this year.
