The Rewild London Fund projects include encouraging amphibians back to Archbishops Park, boosting beavers’ habitat in Enfield and transforming a neglected Victorian pond into a wildlife oasis. The funding aims to improve the condition of 40 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) in London and some of the projects will help to clean up rivers that have been neglected for far too long. In total, the fund will have helped to create or restore over 350 hectares of wildlife habitat - the equivalent of nearly 490 football pitches - across the capital, bringing nature back into the city for all to enjoy.
London Wildlife Trust is proud to act as a delivery partner to take forward some of the London Rewilding Taskforce's final recommendations, including convening a London Rewilding Action Group (LRWAG). This will bring together experts in nature conservation, community engagement and sustainable finance to develop one or more large-scale rewilding pilots to be delivered in London. The Trust will also conduct a review of the Sites of Importance in Nature Conservation (SINC) selection guidance to provide greater emphasis on upgrading sites and identifying the future pipeline of new SINCs.
The Mayor has also announced an additional £47,000 in funding for the Young Ambassadors tree planting programme, part of the Trees for London Programme and New Deal for Young People Mission. The funding will help support learning about trees, planting and maintenance in at least 20 schools - giving young people the opportunity to engage in positive social action in their local communities, making school grounds greener, and more pleasant places to work and play while providing shade and helping to encourage wildlife into the grounds.
This brings the Mayor’s total investment in rewilding London to over £2.4 million, which includes £750,000 from Amazon’s Right Now Climate Fund.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “This new rewilding funding will support the restoration of some amazing spaces in the capital, enabling Londoners to benefit from nature on their doorstep and help us to combat the impacts of climate change.
I believe that all Londoners should be able to enjoy green spaces and that access to nature is a social justice issue. So I’m doing all I can to ensure that Londoners can enjoy wildlife wherever they are in the city.
Once again we have worked very closely with community groups and organisations across London to find out what support they need to rewild the city. By bringing back beavers, restoring river banks and providing spaces for wildlife to thrive, we are making London a greener and cleaner city for everyone whilst also making the capital more resilient to the effects of climate change. This is one important way we are building a better London for all."
Emily Fox, Nature Recovery Programmes Manager at London Wildlife Trust said: “We are excited to be supporting the third round of the Rewild London Fund, which will support 21 projects, including preparing for grazing at Tolworth Court Farm and heathland restoration at Stanmore Common.
In the Trust’s new role as delivery partner for the London Rewilding Action Group, we will bring together a range of stakeholders to explore the development of large-scale rewilding projects in London. Both provide inspiring opportunities to work collaboratively towards nature’s recovery across the capital and show a step change towards a wilder city.”
Katie Morello, London Wildlife Trust Trainee and Youth Board Member said: "Being a Keeping it Wild trainee and a member of the London Wildlife Trust Youth Board has been an incredibly enriching experience for me. It hasn't just been about learning; it's been about standing up for nature, connecting with like-minded individuals, and making a tangible difference towards the environment. From a session of reedbed management to spearheading a campaign tackling eco-anxiety, both roles centre young people in driving change, affirming our ability to shape the future of wildlife in London.”