Natural England

London’s major public bodies have been challenged to conserve and enhance the capital’s wildlife at an event hosted by Natural England today (Friday 14th March 08).

The 2006 Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act requires all public bodies to have regard for conserving biodiversity within their own operations. Today’s event at the London Wetland Centre see’s the launch of specific guidance to help public bodies in London understand how they might do this.

Alison Barnes, Natural England’s London Director said ‘The public sector taking an extra interest in protecting biodiversity is great news not only for wildlife but also for the people of London. The natural environment can play a huge role within our everyday lives; there is growing evidence that regular contact with nature improves people’s health and wellbeing; any extra effort that can be put into enhancing our cities wildlife and green spaces will benefit us all’.

Speaking at the event today, Richard Aylard, Thames Water Director said "Protecting and conserving biodiversity at all our sites has always been a high priority for Thames Water. We welcome this new statutory duty, which compliments what we have accomplished to date, and reinforces the need to continue to conserve biodiversity in the capital."

Also presenting on the day were Transport for London, the Arts Council England and HM Prison Service who all have developed new ways to enhance and protect the capital’s biodiversity whilst also meeting their primary aims as public bodies.

Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, gave his support for the event by saying ‘It is encouraging to see that a number of organisations across the capital are already implementing ways to meet their biodiversity duty. Events like today’s aim to promote best practice by showcasing innovative and novel ways for public bodies to implement the biodiversity duty and in turn will ensure that Londoners and visitors to the capital are able to access high quality green spaces. I would encourage all public bodies in London to make an effort to address biodiversity in their activities - such moves will benefit Londoners' quality of life and help the capital adapt to, and prepare for climate change’.

Case Studies

Transport for London & London Underground – Protecting the natural environment; a safer, greener network.

London Underground have launched a corporate biodiversity action plan to ensure that biodiversity is enhanced and protected across the network and on London Underground sites and buildings. London Underground’s private partner Infraco companies have undertaken habitat and species surveys on all tube lines providing valuable biodiversity information and helping to inform the management of line-side vegetation which is important from a safety perspective. This information has been passed to Greenspace Information for Greater London (GIGL). London Underground has also installed a ‘green roof’ on one site and has worked to enhance a bat roost in a disused tunnel.

HM Prison Service – Encouraging wildlife; contributing to offender rehabilitation

HM prison service launched an Urban Prisons Biodiversity Action Plan for London, which identified ways in which they could manage their estate for the benefit of wildlife in the capital. Prison estate managers have worked with local wildlife organisations and prisoners to enhance the biodiversity of prison grounds in London. HM Prison service has also recently commenced a project to install Swift nest boxes, made by prisoners, on a number of London’s prisons.

Arts Council England – Conserving bats; promoting public art

Support and funding from the Arts Council has allowed 2005 Turner prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller to work with a range of public bodies and charitable organisations in running a unique architectural competition to design a bespoke bat-roosting structure for the London Wetland Centre. The competition involved adults, including both a professional and a student category, and schoolchildren. The winning design was chosen by a jury of experts in September 2007 and is exhibited alongside the other prize-winning entries on the project website www.bathouseproject.org. It is anticipated that the bat house will be built in 2008.

ENDS

Notes for editors:

For more information, photographs or to arrange interviews please contact:

Adam Elwell (Natural England Regional Press Officer for London)
Telephone: 0207 932 2212 or 07814501780
Email: adam.elwell@naturalengland.org.uk

Nigel Ellway ((Natural England Regional Press Officer for London)
Tel no: 0207 932 2244 or 07900608204
Email: nigel.ellway@naturalengland.org.uk

The Biodiversity Duty

On 1st October 2006 a new duty came into force under the Natural Environment & Rural Communities Act which affects all public bodies in England and Wales. The duty requires every public body to have regard for conserving biodiversity within their own operations. Biodiversity can be broadly describes a rich variety of wildlife and the habitats that they depend on.

Public authorities have a key role to play in conserving biodiversity through their work in developing and implementing external and internal policies and strategies; administering the planning system, managing their land and buildings; developing infrastructure; engaging with business and the public; conducting research and managing information; making decisions about procurement; and implementing economic, environmental and social programmes.

The Duty applies to all public authorities including local authorities, central government departments, executive agencies, non departmental public bodies, regional government offices, non-ministerial departments, NHS Trusts, regional assemblies, utilities and all other bodies carrying out functions of a public character under a statutory power. Public authorities can make a significant contribution to the 2010 target to halt biodiversity loss.

Managers in all public bodies need to be aware of the requirements of the duty. Natural England are responsible for informing public authorities about the duty. Together with the Greater London Authority and London Biodiversity Partnership, Natural England have organised a seminar at the London Wetland Centre which will explain how meeting this duty can benefit public bodies, as well as London’s wildlife.

Natural England

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

www.naturalengland.org.uk