London Wildlife Trust welcomes the London Assembly’s Park Life report, and their recognition that the capital’s green spaces play an essential role in allowing Londoners to experience and enjoy nature in a crowded, busy city, as well as being a key resource for the city’s wildlife.
We support the report’s recommendations, in particular those asking the Mayor to set out his plans to increase the quality and quantity of London’s greenspaces in his future plans and strategies.
London Wildlife Trust has been protecting natural green spaces across London for over 30 years, and it is essential, as London grows, that we continue to value these spaces and their vital contribution to the health and vitality of the capital. We would expect to see tangible commitments made in the Mayor’s draft Environment Strategy and revised London Plan to this effect.
We also welcome the call for greater support for volunteering. We work with more than 1,000 volunteers across London – Londoners of all ages and backgrounds who provide vital support for our care and protection of the capital’s wildlife habitats.
We are keen to work with the Mayor in advising on the significant contribution that such volunteers make to London’s parks and green spaces.
London Wildlife Trust continues to engage with a range of partners, from developers to community groups, to develop innovative plans to better care for our green spaces, creating real benefits for people and wildlife.
We hope that the Mayor recognises the need to consult and engage with the Trust and other key greenspace players in the voluntary sector; we have been using inventive and cost-effective methods to protect, sustain and promote London’s green spaces for many years – and we’re eager to see the Mayor lead the capital forwards, towards a greener, healthier future for all.