Chris Packham’s call to plant more wild flowers across London echoes an ongoing battle to conserve nature across the city. In 1981, the founders of London Wildlife Trust requested permission to plant a single primrose on Primrose Hill, by Regent’s Park, to mark the launch of the Trust. Permission was naturally refused.

These days, the well-trodden Primrose Hill may no longer be a suitable spot for wild primrose, but wildlife thrives in most Royal Parks, borough parks and public spaces, helped by enlightened management policies, expert conservationists and Friends of Parks Groups. Significant, beneficial changes for biodiversity have played out over the last 30 years, but as Chris makes clear, we need more action and more people to play their part.

We urge Londoners to join Chris’s Walk for Wildlife on Saturday 22nd September, and to take action in their own gardens, work places and local parks. Numerous conservation and volunteer groups work across the capital, providing inspiration, advice and opportunities for all, from individual Londoners to the largest multinational companies.

The Mayor’s London Environment Strategy, which we and others fed into, commits to the creation of more flower-rich grasslands and many other wildlife habitats, to help make London the world’s greenest global city. Positive change has been taking place for many years; together we can accelerate that change, and make London a wilder, healthier and happier city.

Mathew Frith, Director of Conservation, London Wildlife Trust.

Full version of a letter published in the Evening Standard 9th July 2018