It is an evolving plan that sets objectives the borough. The work of the partnership HOW YOU CAN HELP CONTACT WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY? They include water purification, and prioritises actions to protect, has also raised awareness of local BIODIVERSITY removing air pollutants, waste conserve and enhance species and biodiversity through regular guided walks, Contact the Richmond Biodiversity Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, decomposition, climate regulation, habitats of importance and value. leaflets and social media. The key to success for the action plan Partnership through and describes the ‘variety of life’ - the flood relief and seed dispersal, as well is its implementation, which is why it is myriad of plant and animal species, the as enabling recreational, educational A BIODIVERSITY ACTION While much has been achieved in terms crucial to work in partnership with all South West London Environment range of habitats in which they live, and and therapeutic experiences. PLAN FOR RICHMOND of conserving and enhancing nature land managers, local groups, individuals Network (SWLEN) the natural processes of which living Intrinsic and moral value – All UPON THAMES in the borough, species and habitats and statutory agencies. E.T.N.A. Community Centre, things are a part. It is vitally important species that share our planet have a remain threatened, mainly by factors 13 Rosslyn Road, and matters to everyone. The London right to exist. We have an obligation The first Biodiversity Action Plan for relating to human activities. The newly Would you like to help local TW1 2AR Borough of Richmond upon Thames is not to harm them by our own the London Borough of Richmond revised plan sets out broad actions that biodiversity? exceptionally lucky in having a wealth activities. upon Thames was launched in 2005, focus on informing and working with You don’t need to be an expert to get Email: [email protected] of different natural habitats, supporting covering five habitats and six local residents, monitoring the state of involved and new partners are always Telephone: 020 8892 0590 a great diversity of species, several of species considered to be a nature in Richmond, ensuring that wildlife welcome and needed. If you would https://swlen.org.uk/our-work/ which are important on an international priority for conservation is considered in planning decisions, like to join the Richmond Biodiversity biodiversity/ scale. Working together helps us to locally. Since then, the and increasing connectivity between Partnership or contribute to one of the safeguard these habitats and ensure that Richmond Biodiversity habitats to ensure wildlife can thrive in Species or Habitat Action Plans, please This leaflet has been produced by the our natural heritage is conserved for us Richmond Biodiversity Partnership and is Partnership, a group the borough. The plan includes nine contact the Chair of the Richmond funded by the Civic Pride Fund. and future generations to enjoy. of local people, Habitat Action Plans (HAPs) and ten Biodiversity Partnership for more © Richmond Biodiversity Partnership 2019. professional bodies, Species Action Plans (SAPs). The BAP information on 020 8892 0590. To Text by Richmond Biodiversity Partnership. WHY IS BIODIVERSITY and organisations does not try to cover all our habitats and see the full Biodiversity Action Plan Photos by Charlotte Williams, Nigel Reeve, IMPORTANT? have worked on species: it prioritises those that are rare, visit https://swlen.org.uk/our-work/ Mike Waite, Robert Jones, Eniko Blitzer, Mark Freeman, Julie Hill, Lucy Cuttler, Andrew implementing the in decline or characteristic of Richmond, biodiversity/ Wilson, Theo Llewellyn. Health and quality of life – Accessible plan into practice. and uses flagship species to green spaces, with their associated In the beginning, help raise the profile diversity of animal and plant life, are most of the work was of biodiversity. vital for maintaining a healthy body and focused on surveying mind. Whether through quiet walks in and mapping each our green open spaces, boating on the species’ population and/or Thames or enjoying sport in the local habitat location in the borough park, everyone benefits from our rich in order to inform conservation natural environment. WHAT IS efforts. Subsequently, the health of many Leisure and tourism – Richmond’s A BIODIVERSITY habitat was improved or restored. New many parks and open spaces attract ACTION PLAN? reedbeds as well as river and wetland visitors, bringing social and economic habitats were created and hedgerows benefits to the local community. A Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) is a

RICHMOND planted. Large numbers of bat and BIODIVERSITY Ecosystem services – These are the strategy that aims to conserve and PARTNERSHIP Your Borough, bird boxes as well as stag beetle many and varied benefits that people improve biological diversity and to loggeries have been installed across Your Biodiversity! freely gain from the natural environment. sustain and increase natural resources. LONDON BOROUGH OF HAMMERSMITH AND FULHAM ACID GRASSLAND (HAP) ANCIENT AND VETERAN REEDBED (HAP) BROADLEAF BATS (SAP) TREES (HAP) Biodiversity in the London Borough WOODLAND (HAP) Acid grassland is associated with Reedbeds are areas of shallow water Bats are nocturnal flying mammals acidic soils (pH 4 to 5.5) that are Veteran trees are often found of Richmond upon Thames LEG O’ dominated by a very tall wetland grass Richmond has almost 1200 that navigate by echolocation – a MUTTON free-draining and low in nutrients. in ancient parklands where the The Biodiversity Action Plan sets out the framework for the protection, RESERVOIR called Common Reed Phragmites acres (500 hectares) of woodland system that is so effective a single conservation and enhancement of wildlife within Richmond upon It contains a diversity of fine-leaved landscape has been browsed by australis. Historically the Thames making it the third most wooded pipistrelle bat can catch around WETLANDS grasses and wild flowers such as herds of deer for many generations. Thames. The list of habitats and species in the plan is not KEW CENTRE estuary would have supported borough in London. We all love 3000 midges per night! There are exhaustive, but aims to concentrate on those habitats and GARDENS BARNES red fescue, sheep’s sorrel, heath There are more veteran trees in the BRIDGE extensive reedbeds, but these wet trees and it’s not just eccentric 17 species of bats in the UK and species, which are rare, in decline, or are characteristic BARNES bedstraw and harebell. Richmond London Borough of Richmond than of Richmond. This leaflet only gives a snapshot of COMMON areas have mostly been drained and wildlife enthusiasts that enjoy a walk at least 10 of these are present in OLD DEER BARNES has the largest total area of acid France and Germany combined selected habitats and species; and the map shows PARK the land put to other uses. Many through nice woodland! Woodland the borough. Bats are intelligent, grassland in Greater London, where and the habitat supports many their locations. NORTH SHEEN reedbeds are recent, man-made habitats generally support more long-lived mammals with complex you can also find nationally scarce species including thousands of RICHMOND habitats, quickly colonised by some wildlife when they comprise of a social behaviour and lifestyles. They PALEWELL plants such as clustered clover, rare insects and countless birds. W COMMON interesting and uncommon wildlife. variety of native trees and shrubs. need safe flying routes between h it s B t COMMON & FIELDS ' r o oo n upright chickweed and autumn Veteran trees are defined as ‘trees, d k Reedbeds in Richmond occur at the Woodlands with a matrix of habitats the places used to roost, hibernate,

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e e h e n B for butterflies and a large range size or condition are of great value t and alongside several other habitats woodland flowers, ponds, low vulnerable to changes in the v ra WHITTON r i r C MARBLE HILL o e R Riv PARK of invertebrates, which attract culturally, in the landscape or for N TWICKENHAM including wet woodland and Willow scrub layers and tall, towering trees landscape. Even our most abundant PETERSHAM many birds such as the green wildlife’. However the age of a LODGE WOODS LONDON dominated scrub. Elusive birds such will be richer in biodiversity. Where bat, the pipistrelle, is estimated to BOROUGH OF CRANE PARK THE woodpecker. Also of importance veteran tree will depend upon RICHMOND PARK WANDSWORTH as Water Rails and Sedge Warblers decaying wood habitats such as have declined by 70% between e COPSE an Cr HAM are the small mammals, reptiles and species. A veteran birch might be CRANE PARK ver hide alongside the endangered Water fallen branches and ‘dead’ trees are 1978 and 1993. All UK bats and Ri LANDS ISLAND STRAWBERRY various fungi such as the brightly less than 100 years whilst some HILL Vole, making reedbeds a focal point retained a suite of wildlife including their roosts are protected (even if coloured waxcaps. Top sites that yews are reputed to be 2000 years Acid Grassland for all naturalists and bird watchers fungi, beetles and hole nesting birds bats are not present). There is a HAM you can visit include: old. Veteran oaks are typically 300- COMMON Ancient Parkland & Veteran in particular. will also be supported. Visit: national bat helpline - 0845 1300 FULWELL Trees 1000 years old. Top sites are: Reedbed 228 or visit www.bats.org.uk. Visit: LONDON OAK Richmond Park BOROUGH OF AVENUE L ROYAL Broadleaf Woodland London Wetland Centre Crane Park o n g BOROUGH OF f Bats Bushy Park Bushy Park o Bushy Park Ham Common London Wetland Centre r KINGSTON d R i Home Park Richmond Park ve Home Park Richmond Park Bushy Park r Barnes and Ham Commons The London Wetland Centre Richmond Park Pen Ponds Richmond Park PRIORITY SPECIES Bats BUSHY PARK HAMPTON PRIORITY HABITATS Native black poplar BOROUGH OF STAIN HILL SPELTHORNE RESERVOIR Ancient and veteran trees Hedgehogs Broadleaved woodland House sparrow Hedgerows Song thrush

HAMPTON Lowland acid grassland Stag beetle COURT Neutral grassland Swift BOROUGH OF HOME PARK ELMBRIDGE Private gardens Tower mustard Reedbeds Water vole Wildlife sites Rivers and streams White-letter hairstreak and Elm THAMES Borough Boundary DITTON Tidal Thames Pollinators