Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the name used to describe the variety of all living things within an environment. It covers everything from bacteria to blue whales and algae to giant redwood trees. Environments where these organisms live may include woodland, heath, rivers, even cities! Such places are called habitats and are home to different types of plants and animals.
The Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)
This is an evolving strategy and delivery mechanism for the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of biological resources. It gives details of prioritised actions for protecting, conserving and enhancing wildlife and habitats in Hounslow. It will allow for the monitoring of biodiversity in the borough and help gauge the quality of life of our surroundings through indicators provided by the health of habitats and species close by.
Hounslow Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2003 (
PDF Help, size 916kb)
Purpose of a Biodiversity Action Plan
The Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 resulted in four international agreements on environmental issues. These were on Climate Change, Forestry, Biodiversity and a global action plan called 'Agenda 21'. This declaration was updated ten years on from Rio de Janeiro at The World Summit for Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in August 2002.
The UK government is currently producing a National BAP and is encouraging all local authorities to produce their own. It is also a natural project arising from Local Agenda 21 (LA21) activities. In Hounslow, a 'Greenspaces and Wildlife' topic group was one of the five which arose from early LA21 work and who contributed to a chapter in the 'Hounslow Environmental Challenge' Action Plan. (Copies of this document can be downloaded from the Local Agenda 21 web page).
Local focus…
The Hounslow BAP was put together by a partnership of organisations (see document for list of partners). The partnership has launched the first tranche of species and habitat action plans, reflecting priorities for conservation and the widest possible involvement of residents and landowners in the Borough.
Participants from the community
You to can get involved with BAP activities and increase the biodiversity at home, work and school. Here is a list of just a few things you can do:
At home - you could:·
Put food and water out for wildlife ·
Put up a nest box or build a pond ·Set aside an area solely for wildlife, even if it is just a window box ·
Plant native trees and flowers in your garden ·
Become involved in managing wildlife sites in Hounslow and encouraging others to do so as well ·
Recycle as much of your rubbish as you can and build a compost heap for organic waste ·
Try to use organic pesticides instead of chemicals
At work or school - you could:·
Contact the Countryside Parks Service for details of corporate conservation work parties, environmental education and general wildlife advice ·
Create wildlife areas in school/work grounds ·
Pick up rubbish that will harm wildlife e.g. bottles, cans and fishing line ·
Dispose of harmful chemicals safely
Design for Biodiversity - A guidance document for development in London ( PDF Help, size 4863kb)
How wild is your garden?
Your own garden is probably the best place to see wildlife in the borough. Gardens are basically a carefully laid out collection of ‘domesticated’ plants and hard features such as paths, paving and patios. But they are useful, often essential, for birds, butterflies, amphibians and many other types of wildlife.
Although they may already be useful for wildlife, many gardens could be made much better. Wildlife brings an extra dimension of beauty to any space. Wildlife gardening helps us and our children to discover the world of wildlife that surrounds us.
Whether you own a garden or share a communal one, there are many things you can do to make it better for wildlife:
Improve flower borders for butterflies.
Add trees and shrubs to help blue tits, sparrows and other songbirds
Feed birds
Produce a ‘mini-meadow’ meadow where flowers are actually encouraged
Let some grass long for grasshoppers and other insects
Make a pond for dragonflies and frogs.
‘Green’ the walls and fences
Avoid excess paving or decking
The Hounslow Biodiversity Action Plan was launched in 2003. The plan contains targets aims to protect and conserve Hounslow’s wildlife. As part of this plan, we would like to know what lives in your garden. If you would like to take part in the survey, please download the survey below.
Email completed surveys to wildlife@hounslow.gov.uk
Click here to Download the Wildlife Survey ( PDF Help, size 42kb)
Your Front Garden - Save it, Don't Pave it
Front gardens can provide valuable wildlife habitat and can even help reduce the risks of flooding. This leaflet "Your Front Garden - Save it, Don't Pave it" provides information and advice on how you can improve your front garden to encourage biodiversity.
Please note that planning permission is required to erect a pergola over 1 meter high.
Hounslow Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2003 ( PDF Help, size 916kb)
Contact
If you would like to get involved in biodiversity activities, or would like further information, plesae contact:
Environmental Strategy
Civic Centre
Hounslow
TW3 4DN
Tel: 020 8583 5213