Take action -
as a borough
As public bodies, London's boroughs have a statutory duty to have regard to biodiversity in carrying out all of their functions. But bringing nature into your borough is not just a duty - it is good for the financial, social and physical health of your borough and residents too.
Most of the London boroughs engage with LBP via the London Boroughs Biodiversity Forum. Council officers with responsibility for biodiversity in their boroughs can contact the LBBF Chair, Valerie Selby, for more information:
vselby[at]wandsworth.gov.uk
London boroughs are responsible for designating Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation. Help with this process is available from the London Wildlife Sites Board.
What's happening across London?
Many of the London boroughs have their own borough BAPs. Others take action on biodiversity on a less formal basis. Follow the links below to find out about biodiversity action in each borough.
| Barking & Dagenham |
| Barnet |
| Bexley |
| Brent |
| Bromley |
| Camden |
| City of London |
| Croydon |
| Ealing |
| Enfield |
| Greenwich |
| Hackney |
| Hammersmith and Fulham |
| Haringey |
| Harrow |
| Havering |
| Hillingdon |
| Hounslow |
| Islington |
| Kensington and Chelsea |
| Kingston |
| Lambeth |
| Lewisham |
| Merton |
| Newham |
| Redbridge |
| Richmond |
| Southwark |
| Sutton |
| Tower Hamlets |
| Waltham Forest |
| Wandsworth |
| Westminster |
Talk to us about your own BAP so we can integrate your work with what LBP is doing London-wide.
NERC act
Boroughs now have a duty under section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act to 'have regard' for biodiversity.
Download LBP's guidance for London boroughs on fulfilling the NERC duty, or Defra's national guidance for local authorities.
Incorporate biodiversity ...
Boroughs have a great many responsibilities - social, economic and environmental; responsibilities for the security of residents and of business, for employment, health, social care, etc.
The 'whole system' nature of the environment impacts on every other area of local government responsibility, and should be central to all policy areas.
into planning
Scrutinise planning applications for their effects on biodiversity, and look for opportunities to enhance biodiversity through the development and planning process.
into land management
Manage your land holdings with biodiversity as a key aim; benefit the health of your residents, attract visitors and business with the quality of your local environment.
into urban design
Why allow fear of crime to drive urban design - concrete landscapes and no-go areas, where no one wants to live? Better community safety can be achieved with good quality and wildlife-rich landscaping, encouraging active use, pride and care.
into business
Biodiversity is one area in which boroughs can gain recognition, benefit their stakeholders and secure additional funding.
into education
Inspire the citizens of tomorrow with community projects and environmental education in local schools. Provide your borough's schools with the materials they need to get the message across - lesson plans and creative communication materials.
What are other boroughs doing for biodiversity?
Wandsworth BC
Wandsworth Borough Council's new integrated grounds maintenance contract covers all open space in the borough. Biodiversity is integrated into the management of all areas.
A new, comprehensive, monitoring system is also in place, meaning all sites receive the management they need when they need it and only when they need it - making better use of available resources.
Staff, contractors and public alike are delighted with the results.
"The continuing improvements to Wandsworth Common make it amongst the best maintained public open spaces in south London. Whatever the weather or conditions, there is no better place to walk; alone, with friends, with children or with dogs."
Denis, Wandsworth resident.
For further guidance on incorporating biodiversity into your grounds maintenance, have a look at CABE Space's publication, Making contracts work for wildlife: how to encourage biodiversity in urban parks.