London's Living Landscapes

Wildlife is still under pressure, from development, diffuse pollution, inappropriate management, visitor pressures and persecution. Our key aim is to secure the protection of existing ecological assets, and enhance the biodiversity of others to bring about a greater ecological resilience to the network of greenspaces across the capital.

The many benefits of contact with greenspace are now acknowledged. These include greater mental and physical wellbeing and increased opportunities for recreation, learning, relaxation and social interaction. Encouraging Londoners to use their local greenspace, rather than travelling outside the capital, can improve community cohesion and increase social capital.

Tackling London's highly fragmented landscape is a huge challenge for nature conservation. The Living Landscapes principle is based on the rationale of re-connecting greenspaces to help to restore damaged ecosystems and protect healthy ones. A landscape with strong connectivity between areas of greenspace is more likely to deliver ecosystem services, such as better air quality, temperature amelioration and flood alleviation; as well as boost wildlife populations.

Connecting nature conservation and community engagement to sustainability can bring a large range of benefits. For example, creating urban orchards or food growing schemes, designed to reduce food miles and improve food security, can also improve personal well-being, increase social capital and create useful wildlife habitats.

The conservation of London's biodiversity is delivered by countless organisations and individuals. The Trust works in partnership with a wide range of organisations, and much of our work is delivered by committed volunteers and supporters. This approach is critical to ensure future buy-in and commitment to a Living Landscape approach.

A collection of dry valley systems containing chalk grassland, chalk scrub and woodland skirting the North Downs, on the southern fringes of London and northern Surrey. Working with the Kent and Surrey Wildlife Trusts in the Green Belt there are high quality wildlife sites among other land uses – arable, pasture, landfill and golf courses.

Forming part of the west London Green Chain, a 32 km stretch of interconnected green spaces that runs along the River Crane and the Yeading Brook. It is recognised as a vital wildlife corridor. The River Crane becomes tidal near the Thames - a unique feature amongst west London’s rivers.

Forming a ‘natural’ corridor on London’s doorstep and stretches 42 km along the banks of the River Lee, from Hertfordshire, through Essex, to the Thames. It contains a variety of landscapes and open spaces, industrial heritage sites and nature reserves, marshes and reservoirs. The London and Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trusts help manage this Living Landscape, which is within the Lee Valley Regional Park.

On the western fringes of London faces threats including habitat loss and fragmentation, flood risk, inappropriate development, pollution, and invasive species. The London and Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trusts help manage this Living Landscape, which is within the Colne Valley Regional Park.

Running north westerly from Waddon to the Thames at Wandsworth. It had reputedly the highest density of water mills of any river in England. Much improved through conservation and still flowing through significant stretches of industry, housing and commercial centres.

The largest remaining swathe of open countryside with hay meadows, that once helped to feed London’s horse traffic until the 1920s. It contains relict neutral grassland, hedgerows, feature trees, and is skirted by the Dollis Brook Valley that supports a high proportion of important wildlife sites.

Once stretched across the high ridge of land between Deptford, Selhurst and Streatham, surviving as a mixture of oak-hornbeam woodland, wood-pasture commons, and arable land until the early 19th century. Over 20 woodlands are now found within the area, together with a wide range of other sites of wildlife value.

Located in the Thames Gateway, are an expanse of marshland covering over 500ha, some of the last remaining floodplain grazing marshes in London. They are now restricted to an area between Thamesmead, Belvedere and Dartford.

These form the single largest type of green space use within the capital, the place where most Londoners have a direct contact with the natural world, and importantly witness the impacts of climate change on nature. There are three million gardens in London, covering 38,000 hectares, more than 23% of the capital.