Biodiversity
Parks and green spaces provide opportunities for people to experience nature close at hand and provide valuable spaces for urban wildlife.
Our parks are already home to a number of important plants and animals including bats, house sparrows and Britain's rarest native tree the Black Poplar. All of these species are recognised in the London Biodiversity Action Plan and work is being carried out across London to help protect them.
We have made a commitment to improve biodiversity across the Borough and we are now working to create more spaces for wildlife in our parks. By providing more varied habitats within our parks we will be making places more interesting and enjoyable for our residents as well as helping to protect and enhance our biodiversity.
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity encompasses the whole variety of life on earth. It includes all species of plants and animals and the ecosystems of which they are part.
Why is biodiversity important?
Many people enjoy seeing wildlife or value the presence of open spaces, but biodiversity also provides a number of important services that we rely on.
In an urban area such as Hackney, biodiversity plays a vital role in cleaning our air, reducing the effect of the 'urban heat island' (hot temperatures in summer) and helping to control water run-off and so reduce flooding.
It has also been shown that contact with the natural environment can improve wellbeing and reduce stress.
Where is our biodiversity?
Within Hackney 24 sites, including many of our parks, have been designated as Sites of Importantance for Nature Conservation (SINCs). See the SINCs webpage fior more information.
Green space and gardens account for 795 hectares of land in Hackney, which is around 42% of the total land area of the borough.
Wildife is also be found in the built and urban environment. Buidlings and structures can provide homes for a range of creatures, inlcuding bats, birds and plants. Hackney Council is working with all major developers in the borough to ensure that wildlife is considered in developments. Examples of this could include the installation of green roofs or providing nest boxes for swifts.
What can you do for biodiversity in Hackney?
There are a number of simple steps you can take to help biodiversity in your local area:
- Become involved with the Hackney Biodiversity Partnership or one of the local groups shown in the Useful websites list on the right of this page
- Record the wildlife that you see in Hackney. See the Recording Wildlife in Hackney page.
- Help to make your own garden or local green space more wildlife friendly. See the Biodiversity Advice page and our guide on Biodiversity Management in Hackney (PDF 459KB)
Biodiversity funding opportunities
There are a number of grant bodies who are keen to fund user groups and community organisations who are working on wildlife or green space projects. To find out more see Green space funding.
Contact
For more information on biodiversity in Hackney contact Kate Mitchell, Biodiversity Officer, Hackney Council, 020 8356 3438 kate.mitchell@hackney.gov.uk
Page updated: 3 Jan 2012
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