Partnership News

May 2007

Contents Welcome to Issue 2! p1 Tidal Thames HAP p2 Review of London In this edition you will find updates and articles about work going on in the BAP London BAP Action Plans, local Borough news, Partnership updates and funding information. NERC Guidance p3 Capital Woodlands As always, if you have suggestions, updates or articles for the next newsletter, please contact [email protected] p4 New Partners p5 Rivers and Streams HAP Partner News LBP Website p6 Borough Updates/LBBF London Springwatch Garden Party p7 Funding Updates Big Bumblebee Hunt p8 Training/Events Diary

LBP Secretariat Tidal Thames HAP - Ecological Design of

Nick White Estuarine Tidal River Edges Partnership Manager 020 7803 4280 The water quality in many of our tidal rivers has improved markedly [email protected] from when they were mere conduits for industrial, agricultural and human waste. But the natural ‘soft’ edge habitats of the rivers are still Kate Mitchell largely missing through the combined effects of land reclamation, sea level Partnership Officer rise and pollution. For example, only around 2% of the tidal Thames banks 020 7803 4277 are now natural in profile. River life is often most abundant and diverse at [email protected] the edges.

Chris Pethers Thames Estuary Partnership has been project managing a joint project Development Manager with the Environment Agency, with support funding from Natural England, 020 7803 4276 Kent County Council and Thames Gateway South Essex, to produce [email protected] introductory guidance on new river wall design techniques .This will be linked to the Guidance for Developers (product code GETH1106BLNE-E- c/o E) already available on the Environment Agency website Skyline House www.environment-agency.gov.uk under their publications section. The 200 Union Street project will be completed and linked to the Environment Agency and London SE1 0LX Thames Estuary Partnership website later this summer.

www.lbp.org.uk Natural Environment and Rural Communities Review of the London BAP (NERC) Act – Biodiversity ‘Duty’ Guidance In March 2007 LBP initiated a review of the existing London Biodiversity Published Action Plan (BAP). The review is being undertaken to ensure that the BAP can most effectively deliver biodiversity gain for the capital at a time of On 22nd May Defra mounting challenges and opportunities – specifically: development published its long pressures in the capital, climate change and the attendant challenges awaited guidance on the these present to biodiversity and LBP’s ability to remain an effective implementation of the partnership that enhances biodiversity and ensures Londoners continue to NERC ‘duty’. Two sets of enjoy access to nature. The key aspects of the BAP review are as follows: guidance are available: the first targeted at Local a) Establish baseline habitat and species information for the BAP, in Authorities, the second at conjunction with Greenspace Information for Greater London (GiGL). remaining Public Bodies. Due for completion – end of May 2007. The second category is b) Review all existing habitat and species action plans. All action plan very wide-ranging and in working groups have been asked to review/identify: London encompasses - Their key successes over the past 3 years bodies as diverse as all - If there is a continued need for the action plan NHS Trusts, the Tate, the - The membership of the working group Metropolitan Police, - The likely impact of climate change Natural England and even - Establish objectives/targets and actions that are SMART the Heritage Lottery - The future cost of implementing the action plan Fund! Basically, if an - All future monitoring and reporting on BARS online system organisation receives the Due for completion – end of November 2007. bulk of its money direct from central government c) Establish condition and creation/expansion targets for 2015 and then it is likely to be a 2020 for all action plans. Habitat expansion targets identified in the public body. GLA’s revised London Plan to be adopted as a minimum. Due for The Defra guidance is completion – end of November 2007. available to download on d) All habitat action plans to have identified London priority species the Defra website at: target(s) appropriate for their action plan. Due for completion – end of November 2007. http://www.defra.gov.uk/ wildlife- e) LBP to identify any ‘gaps’ within BAP coverage and/or countryside/biodiversity/i opportunities for consolidation. Are any additional action plans ndex.htm required or could some existing plans be merged into habitat/landscape-scale plans? Due for completion – end of These guidance December 2007. documents are quite f) Establish habitat condition methodology for all habitat action lengthy. London-specific plans based upon ‘simple’ indicator species presence/absence information is being recording format using GiGL dataset. Due for completion – end 2007. developed by LBP in conjunction with the GLA g) LBP to communicate revised regional habitat and species targets and Natural England and to Boroughs and encourage their future incorporation into revised will be available during Borough action plans. Due for completion – end of 2008. the summer. In the h) Opportunity mapping the revised BAP targets based upon meantime, Defra have ecological, climate change, social benefit and development opportunity also produced a draft criteria (yet to be devised). Due for completion – spring 2008. powerpoint presentation for use as an i) Engagement of planners and land owners/managers to influence introductory tool about and ensure delivery of the new BAP expansion/creation targets. Due NERC. For further for completion – 2008/2009. information or a copy please contact either Progress towards implementation of the revised BAP will be monitored on Nick White an annual basis. For further information/clarification about the BAP review [email protected] or process please contact the Partnership Manager, Nick White on 020 7803 Kate Mitchell 4280 or email [email protected] [email protected] Capital Capital Woodlands Highlights Woodlands Spring 2007 Capital Woodlands is a 3- year London Biodiversity Partnership project supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project aims to raise appreciation of London’s woodlands and increase public benefit and participation in woodland-related activities throughout the capital.

The project is managed by Trees for Cities who work in partnership alongside the , Forestry Commission, BTCV, the Peabody Trust and the London Trainee practicing cutting and felling of small trees (CS31) Boroughs of Bromley,

Croydon, Haringey,

Merton and Redbridge. Training in Woodland Management Partners are delivering Capital Woodlands Trees for Cities ran its third training course in woodland management programmes across the (Jan-March) with four candidates from Stockwell, Poplar and the Isle of city, with key areas of Dogs. Three trainees were long-term unemployed, looking for work in the dissemination employment in the woodland sector, whilst the fourth was ‘up-skilling’ for of good practice in the his job. management of London’s woodlands, training in All candidates successfully completed the course taking part in NPTC woodland management units CS30 (Chainsaw Maintenance), CS31 (Cutting and Felling of Small skills, strengthening links Trees), and CS38 (Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue). between woodlands and communities, supporting Integral to the course is the opportunity for trainees to work in woodlands the educational use of across the capital including Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, Peabody Hill woodlands in London, Woods, Abbey Hill Millennium Woodlands and . This enables and the support and them to practice newly learnt skills in woodland ecology, tree and plant recruitment of identification, chipper and brushcutter operations, composting theory, and volunteers. sustainable management through use of forestry products.

If you would like more With assistance towards job searches by Trees for Cities, two of the information on Capital unemployed trainees have now found jobs in the sector and the third is Woodlands please fully expected to be as successful, while the fourth candidate has returned contact the Project to work with a chainsaw license. Manager [email protected]. For more information on the Trees for Cities training course in Woodland Meanwhile, here are Management, please contact [email protected] (020 7820 some of the highlights of 4414). Capital Woodlands during Spring 2007: New Partners

LBP is delighted to formally welcome the following new partner members who have recently signed the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU):

1) Transport for London (TfL) – the integrated body responsible for the Capital’s transport system. See www.tfl.gov.uk

2) Buglife - the only organisation in Europe devoted to the conservation of all invertebrates. See www.buglife.org.uk

3) Thames Landscape New bridge at Coldfall Wood Strategy - the sub- Photo courtesy of Angela Bell, London Borough of Haringey regional partnership for the River Thames between Hampton and Woodland Access Work at Coldfall Woods Kew in West London. See www.thames- Coldfall Woods in Haringey is a flagship site for Capital Woodlands with programmes in woodland management and a range of community and landscape- education events planned for the duration of the project. strategy.org.uk

A key aim of Capital Woodlands is to demonstrate best practice in 4) London Borough of improving access to woodlands for people who have been previously Westminster – excluded. Barriers to access are not only physical but also include reviewing their BAP problems such as graffiti and litter, which lead to fear of crime among local this year. Very pro- people. active in linking

biodiversity with their Through Capital Woodlands, the London Borough of Haringey is working planning department. in partnership with the Friends of Coldfall Wood to overcome barriers to See access at Coldfall Wood. Coppicing and trimming of overhanging www.westminster.gov. branches have made the woodland much more inviting, and over Spring uk new facilities have been installed to welcome visitors, including two

wooden bridges, six benches, a new gate, replacement fencing and an

interpretation board. PLEASE NOTE

The improvements are already evident to woodland users; one resident LBP would like to remind commented: all partners who wish to remain in LBP and who have not yet completed “It feels safer after the coppicing and it’s exciting to see what plants will grow.” and returned the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to A new nature trail is planned for the summer with leaflets available over please do so as soon as the Internet. If you are local to Coldfall Wood why not get involved as a possible – THANK YOU. volunteer? For more information contact [email protected]. Partner News Rivers and Streams HAP BTCV – Have appointed Richard Rigby as their new London Regional and Chinbrook Meadows Manager. Richard replaces Marina Pacheco who left BTCV to join Winner of the RSPB/CIWEM 2007 Living Wetlands Award and winner CPRE at the end of 2006. of the Natural Environment category in the 2007 Waterways Renaissance Awards. LWT – Are recruiting a new Biodiversity Like many of the capital’s ancient waterways, the River Quaggy was Director. increasingly channelled along man-made drains and through culverts beneath the ever-growing city. For years, a section of the river was lost in Froglife – have appointed a tunnel under Sutcliffe Park in Greenwich, until a review of flood defences a new Conservation prompted a dramatic revival in its fortunes. Increasing development in Manager. Dr Linda Lewisham and Greenwich had led to an ever-increasing risk of flooding Barnett remains off-work and traditional remedies called for further widening and deepening of the on long-term sick. All at artificial channels that took much of the river’s 17km length. LBP wish Linda a speedy recovery. Instead, the Environment Agency chose to bring the river back above ground, cutting a new channel for it through the park creating a Greenspace Information multifunctional open space that would improve flood management and the for Greater London – Are quality of the park while also restoring the river through the site. A culvert soon to launch their remained below ground to take excess water in times of flood and a new website. For a sneak lake was created to take over when that too became full. The park itself preview go to was lowered and shaped to create a floodplain where water could collect www.gigl.org.uk instead of rushing downstream to flood Lewisham town centre.

The park’s flood storage capacity now measures 85,000 cubic meters of LBP Website – water – equivalent to 35 Olympic swimming pools.

Guinea Pigs Careful design consideration of the park has created an impressive wanted! habitat. Over the last two years the park has blossomed into an important habitat, universally recognised by conservation groups such as National We are currently in the Trust, British Trust for Ornithology and members of Kingston University process of developing a who have all commented on the surprising degree of biodiversity. new version of the LBP website. Sutcliffe Park has become a blueprint for ‘best practice’ in providing a multifunctional solution to a range of problems including flood risk, local A consultancy called lack of amenity, public safety/crime reduction and the provision of AskAuk have been attractive natural habitat within a highly urbanised, ‘inner city’ location. commissioned to oversee the website re-design but As public use of the park has sharply increased among the wider we would really welcome community there has been a corresponding drop in petty crime, such as your help and assistance. youth drinking and vandalism. The restored river and habitat is now enjoyed by local residents and the various user groups that have formed We are currently looking over the course of this project’s development continue to be strong for people who would be advocates. happy to help us test out the new site before it This development demonstrates that a flood alleviation scheme can be goes live later this actively combined with the multifunctional dimensions of environmental summer. enhancement, habitat creation, including improved recreational capacity and aesthetic improvement of a poor quality inner city green space. If you would like to volunteer please contact For further information on the project please contact Jo Heisse Nick White on ([email protected]) [email protected] LBBF Meeting Borough Updates London Boroughs Biodiversity Forum Thursday 7th June The have been planting Pinner Seedlings (a 2pm-5pm variety of apple) as part of a hedgerow restoration programme in winter London Councils 2006/7. The Pinner Seedling is a truly local species for the Brent BAP as it 59 ½ Southwark Street was apparently discovered in 1810 in Pinner, now in neighbouring Harrow. Because this tree variety is not stocked by nurseries, the trees were The meeting is open to ordered two years in advance of the delivery and planting. The hedgerow biodiversity officers (or restoration project also involves other old varieties of fruit trees and the their equivalents) from local hedging species of trees and shrubs. For more information contact local authorities in Leslie Williams ([email protected]). London. Please contact Valerie Selby Hammersmith and Fulham Council and Groundwork West London held the 5th annual Family Fun Day at Local Nature [email protected]. th uk if you are planning to Reserve on 14 April. Hundreds of local residents took part in a range of attend as she is required activities, including seed planting, a ‘Living Classroom’ complete with to provide a list of reptiles and insects, and beginners’ birdwatching activities provided by attendees for building Wild in the Parks. For more information contact security reasons. Paul Clay ([email protected]).

Southwark Council and the Trust for Urban Ecology (TRUE) have secured £30,000 from the SITA Trust “Enriching Nature” Fund to create 2 London’s stag beetle centres in Southwark and seven large scale demonstration Springwatch loggeries in parks across Southwark. 15 small loggeries will be created in local parks and school grounds. Dead wood is vital to the life cycle of the Garden Party stag beetle as they spend 4 to 7 years underground as grubs in the stumps of trees. Southwark is a stronghold for Britain’s largest beetle. For The BBC, Newham more information contact Jon Best ([email protected]). Council and London-wide wildlife and conservation Southwark Council and TRUE have also secured £21,000 to create groups are preparing to 1hectare of reedbeds in the Rotherhithe peninsular. This project will meet host a garden party with 10% of the regional target for reed bed creation. Reedbeds are a priority a difference on Saturday habitat for Britain. They provide a home for many well known species such June 9, 1pm to 6pm, at as the reed bunting, dragonflies and damselflies. For more information Memorial Recreation contact Jon Best ([email protected]). Ground, Memorial Avenue, West Ham. The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham have drafted an in- house biodiversity process for Development Control. The process The activities are identifies opportunities within the current planning process to identify sites designed to get visitors where biodiversity may be an issue and to take action at an early stage. to pledge their For more information contact commitment to ‘do one Francesca Cliff ([email protected]). thing’ and improve the environment for people and wildlife. This could Borough Staff News be as simple as fitting a window box or as Lauren Alexander left Wandsworth Council at the end of 2006 to work challenging as restoring full time with LBP partner GiGL. She has been replaced by Helen a disused green space. Burgess, who has completed a Masters in Biodiversity Surveying where she undertook a site survey of the largest area of brownfield land left in For more information Brighton. She is a keen advocate of living roofs and brownfield ecology about Breathing Places and is currently getting to grips with the planning applications in the and a link to the London borough to exert her influence and try to enhance a range of habitats. event visit: www.bbc.co.uk/breathing Gareth Winn ([email protected]) is now part of the London places Borough of Barking and Dagenham staff. Part of his new role will be progressing the LBAP. Upcoming Funding Update Funding Deadlines Water Vole SAP 26 June: SITA Trust (see article opposite) Funds The London Water Vole Project and the London Borough of Wandsworth are available for both the have received funding to carry out the background work for a river large fund and small fund restoration project on the running through King George’s applications. Park in Wandsworth. Survey work is being carried out across this summer with the aim of finalising enhancement proposals. The drawing up of 30 June: Deadline for the technical plans will follow during the winter and into 2008. The long term “Parks for People” aim is to enhance the riverbank habitat sufficiently that water vole may use Lottery Fund Project the area as a feeding, or even breeding ground. This links into other LWT Planning Grants. No water vole projects further upstream on the River Wandle. further Project Planning applications will be accepted after this date. Check out www.hlf.org.uk Grey Heron SAP for details. The Grey Heron SAP has successfully received grant funding to enhance habitats around heron breeding sites. The application, led by Wandsworth Council together with Bromley Council and the Royal Parks, will ensure Big that young herons on their first ventures out of the nest have appropriate Bumblebee places to practice hunting in and indeed are given some shelter from potential predators. On some sites trees will also be planted with the future Hunt in mind, to ensure that there are trees for the birds to nest in once the existing trees come to the end of their natural lives.

Buglife is holding the first Big Bumblebee Hunt in July and August 2007 SITA Trust “Enriching Nature” across London and Essex. As part of the At their meeting in March the SITA Trust “Enriching Nature” Board event they are running a awarded three grants in the London Region: range of walks, talks and identification workshops. • Grey Herons SAP (see above) For a programme of events contact Diana • Kennington Meadows (Parks HAP) – to create an area of wildflower Cheng on species-rich meadow grassland in Kennington Park [email protected] • Rainham Marshes – funding for grazing livestock management .uk The awards for the March deadline will be decided at the SITA Trust More information about Board meeting in June. the Big Bumblebee Hunt is available at: However – there are still funds available in both the Large Fund (up to £150K) and Small Fund (up to £25K) pots, so I would like to encourage http://www.buglife.org.uk/ you to apply for the 26 June deadline if you have a project that could be conservation/currentproj eligible (check out www.sitatrust.org.uk). The money is earmarked for the ects/bigbumblebeehunt/ London region, and so it would be a shame if we didn’t make full use of it.

Also, I would like to emphasise, please contact me ([email protected], 020 7803 4276) if you would like to apply. I LBP would like to have had a lot of experience with SITA Trust and can advise on the best apologise for the lack of way to present a project in order to be successful. articles about Dusty Gedge in this issue. As always, please contact LBP’s Development Manager, Chris Pethers (see above contact details) if you want advice on funding. LBP Partners Training/Events Diary

British Waterways BTCV The following dates include training and events that could be useful Buglife and interesting. CiP City of London If you have a date that should be highlighted in this diary, please email Environment Agency [email protected] with the information. Thanks! Forestry Commission Froglife GiGL Date Event Groundwork London Breathing Places Festival 1pm to 6pm at Memorial Authority Saturday LB Barnet Recreation Ground, Newham 9 June LB Bromley Contact [email protected] LB Camden LB Havering Saturday Wormwood Scrubs Butterfly Walk 10.30am LB Hounslow 16 June More information at http://www.scrubs-online.org.uk/ LB Islington LB Merton Wandle Valley Festival – events include guided wildlife Sunday LB Redbridge walks and various hands on activities LB Richmond upon 24 June Thames More information at http://wandlevalleyfestival.org.uk LB Tower Hamlets LB Wandsworth Tuesday LBP Board Meeting LB Westminster 17 July Contact [email protected] for details London Councils

London Natural History

Society London Underground LBP Action Plan Leads London Wildlife Trust

Mayor of London Natural England Action Plan Lead Contact Email Natural History Museum The Peabody Trust Built Structures Mathew Frith [email protected] Royal Botanical Gardens, Acid Grassland Nigel Reeve [email protected] Kew Canals Leela O’Dea Leela.O’[email protected] The Royal Parks Chalk Grassland Ewa Prokop [email protected] Churchyards Richard Barnes [email protected] RSPB Heathland Paul Losse [email protected] Thames Estuary Parks Jan Hewlett [email protected] Partnership Private Gardens Moya O’Hara [email protected] Thames Landscape Reedbeds Richard Bullock [email protected] Strategy Rivers and Streams David Webb [email protected] Standing Water David Orchard [email protected] Thames Water Tidal Thames Jill Goddard [email protected] Transport for London Wasteland Steve Whitbread [email protected] Trees for Cities Woodland Richard Barnes [email protected] University College Bats Mike Waite [email protected] London Black Poplar Fred Rumsey [email protected] Black Redstart Dusty Gedge [email protected] Wildfowl and Wetlands Grey Heron Valerie Selby [email protected] Trust House Sparrow Paul Forecast [email protected] The Woodland Trust Mistletoe Jonathan Briggs [email protected] Zoological Society of Peregrine Pete Massini [email protected] London Reptiles Rachel Cook [email protected] Sand Martin Alison Giacomelli [email protected] Stag Beetle Steve Whitbread [email protected] Tower Mustard London Borough of Richmond Water Vole Louise Wells [email protected]