SUTTON BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY 2020-2025 (Part of the Sutton Parks and Open Spaces Strategy 2020-2025) (all images © D. Warburton) For more information, or for assistance, contact the Biodiversity Team:
[email protected] 020 8770 4203 1 Introduction More than 98% of visitors to Sutton’s parks say that wildlife and plants add to their enjoyment of visits and over 90% would be happy for more land to be set aside for wildlife, including 65% agreeing that rural verges should be mowed less frequently to encourage wildlife, bees and flowers. When asked about herbicide use 68% say they would like all pesticide use stopped, a measure known to assist wildlife. Of course, David Attenborough’s television programmes have raised awareness of the plight of the planet and climate change features regularly on the news, so it is no surprise that Sutton’s residents want to do their bit for the environment. Sutton’s Biodiversity Strategy is a plan of action to ensure that plants, animals and ecosystems are conserved, protected and enhanced and that progress is tracked, using measurable targets. The strategy is composed of four plans for high priority habitats and a plan for green infrastructure and Biodiversity Net Gain that set out in detail the actions the Council will take and can be found in the appendices B1 to B5 as follows: ● Chalk grassland (Appendix B1) ● Woodland and Scrub (Appendix B2) ● Rivers and Wetlands (Appendix B3) ● Parks and Green Spaces (Appendix B4) ● Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Net Gain (Appendix B5) The selection of priority habitats and species for action is based upon robust ecological principles and baseline information derived from national and regional guidance; such as habitats for which the UK has international obligations, habitats at risk and areas important for key species.