London's Gardens cpt Jamie Grier
this massive expanse of green space has enormous untapped potential
There are more than three million gardens in Greater London. In the face of climate change and habitat fragmentation, this massive expanse of green space has enormous untapped potential for both people and wildlife.
The loss and fragmentation of these important areas is a real threat as growing pressures from development and unsympathetic garden management and design continue to rise.
This scheme aims to raise people’s awareness of the value of gardens for wildlife and climate change, protect gardens from the threat of inappropriate development and to enhance and link up London’s gardens for the benefit of wildlife and people.
Virtual tour by Mike McFarlane
What's happening?
London Wildlife Trust’s Garden for a Living London campaign is calling on city gardeners to pledge to transform the capital’s three million gardens into a network of mini nature reserves. The Trust has come up with gardening actions that would help create a ‘Living London’ – a city more resilient to climate change and better for wildlife.
The Garden for a Living London campaign has attracted the attention of the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. Commenting on the campaign, he said:
"London's gardens not only make life more pleasant for millions of people, they can also be a veritable treasure trove of wildlife.
"I have pledged to protect our gardens from being eaten up by developers, so I welcome the London Wildlife Trust's campaign to help us make our gardens havens for flora and fauna and help the city adapt to our changing climate".
Start date: 2008
Scheme area: 37,942 hectares
Trust reserves within the scheme
London-wide, so includes all LWT reserves
This scheme is helping species including...
Common toad, hedgehog, bats esp. soprano pipistrelle, house sparrow.
Current threats to the landscape
Development, habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, design and management of gardens which is not beneficial to wildlife (paving, decking, pesticides, non-native planting)
This scheme is also...
Helping wildlife adapt to climate change, improving air quality, providing habitat for pollinating insects, providing health benefits, volunteering opportunities and environmental education.
Partners
Natural England, Local Authorities, Greenspace Information for Greater London (GiGL), Royal Horticultural Society, London Biodiversity Partnership, Community gardens, Royal Parks, Social housing estates, National Wildlife Gardening Forum.
To find out more
Email: enquiries@wildlondon.org.uk | Tel: 020 7261 0447 | London's Gardens
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 Adam Cormack.JPG)