- According to Wildlife Trusts, around half of UK species are in decline and 15 per cent are threatened with extinction, with 2 per cent already extinct. [2]
- The UK is one of the worst-performing developed countries for the extent to which its ecosystems have retained their natural animals and plants. [3]
- The Mayor’s Environment Strategy states that London’s natural habitats need to be expanded and better connected in order to better conserve them. [4]
- Recent examples of habitat creation include new woodland at the Thames Chase Community Forest, new grassland, wetland and woodland habitats in the Olympic Park, and new reed beds at Stoke Newington and Walthamstow Reservoirs.
- The Mayor of London is considering a suite of rewilding initiatives in London, which will include the development of new ecological corridors and wild spaces in outer London. [5]
The Environment Committee will tomorrow discuss the importance of wild space in London, including biodiversity and ecological corridors (space where wildlife can move freely from one area to another) and improving access to these spaces for all Londoners, especially those from under-represented groups.
The meeting will also discuss the Mayor’s initiatives at enhancing green spaces in London, including the upcoming work of the Rewilding Taskforce.
How can London’s biodiversity be encouraged further and the amount of wild space in London be maintained and grown for the benefit of all
The guests are:
- Dr Mya-Rose Craig, Founder & President, Black2Nature
- Mathew Frith, Director of Policy and Planning, London Wildlife Trust
- Alice Roberts, Head of Campaigns, CPRE London
- Andrew Jones, Head of Green Infrastructure, Greater London Authority
- Sam Longman, Head of Corporate Environment, Transport for London
- Bridget Fox, Regional External Affairs Officer (South East), The Woodland Trust
The meeting will take place on Thursday, 26 May 2022 from 10.00am in The Chamber, at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube
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Notes to editors
- Read the agenda papers
- Wildlife Trusts, State of Nature Partnership, 2019
- The Guardian, Nearly half of Britain’s biodiversity has gone since industrial revolution, October 2021
- Mayor of London, London Environment Strategy, May 2018
- The Guardian, Birds, beavers and microparks: experts plan to rewild London, May 2022
- Zack Polanski AM, Chair of the Environment Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the London Assembly Environment Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Lisa Lam on 020 7983 4067 or 07795 616 902. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.