London's Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has revealed the selection of 21 projects set to receive a portion of £1 million in Rewild London funding, aimed at fostering environmental improvement
and bolstering the city's defenses against climate change.
These projects encompass a range of initiatives, including efforts to reintroduce amphibians to Archbishops Park, enhance beaver habitats in Enfield, and rejuvenate neglected Victorian ponds into thriving wildlife sanctuaries. The funding endeavors to revitalize 40 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) in London, with some projects dedicated to revitalizing neglected rivers.
This announcement marks the Mayor's investment in rewilding London exceeding £2.4 million, supported by contributions such as £750,000 from Amazon's Right Now Climate Fund. In total, these funds are anticipated to restore or create over 350 hectares of wildlife habitat across the city, enriching London's natural landscape for residents and visitors alike.
Among the funded projects are:
Archbishops Amphibians in Lambeth: Lambeth Council will enhance the habitat in Archbishops Park, promoting the presence of frogs and toads while engaging volunteers in habitat creation and monitoring efforts.
Enfield Beaver Project: Enfield Council will expand the beaver project at Forty Hall, collaborating with Capel Manor to improve habitat and involve communities in supporting and monitoring beavers.
Old Lea River and Marshes Restoration: The Wildlife Gardeners of Haggerston will enhance connectivity between the Old Lea River and the Lea Navigation Canal, facilitating the movement of field mice, voles, and shrews across the landscape.
Stanmore Common Restoration: This project aims to reconnect valuable heath areas in Stanmore Common, enabling the thriving of heath spotted orchids and other specialist heathland plants and invertebrates.
Additionally, the Mayor has allocated an extra £47,000 to the Young Ambassadors tree planting program, supporting tree planting and maintenance initiatives in 20 schools. This initiative empowers young people to engage in positive social action while greening school grounds and promoting wildlife habitat.
Sadiq Khan emphasized the importance of these rewilding efforts in combating the impacts of climate change and ensuring equitable access to nature across the city. With a focus on bringing back wildlife and restoring natural spaces, London aims to become a greener, more resilient urban environment for all its inhabitants.
These projects underscore the city's commitment to nature recovery, with London Wildlife Trust playing a key role in supporting and coordinating rewilding initiatives. Through collaborative efforts, London is poised to embark on large-scale rewilding projects, setting the stage for a wilder, more vibrant cityscape. Photo by Mx. Granger, Wikimedia commons.