Biodiversity issues
Buglife: "the only organisation in Europe devoted to the conservation of all invertebrates, and we are passionately committed to savingBritain's rarest little animals, everything from bees to beetles, and spiders to snails. Today bugs are under threat as never before, so help us to secure a diverse and wildlife-rich planet for future generations."
Flora Locale: "Our aim is to promote and advance the conservation and enhancement of native wild plant populations and plant communities in relation to creative conservation and ecological restoration."
Plantlife: "speaking up for the nation’s wild plants".
RSPB London House Sparrow Parks Project: "trialling different habitat management types in London parks with the aim of boosting invertebrate numbers."
The Wildlife Trusts Living Landscape conservation plans: "to transform the environment we live in: restoring, recreating and reconnecting wildlife-rich spaces in rural and urban areas by working in partnership with local communities, landowners, schools and businesses."
UK National Ecosystem Assessment (UK NEA) "the first analysis of the UK’s natural environment in terms of the benefits it provides to society and our continuing economic prosperity."
The Natural Choice:securing the value of nature (DEFRA)
Planting for wildlife
BBC advice on how to grow wild flowers
Flora Locale directory of businesses which produce and/or sell plants and/or seed of British and Irish Flora, some of which have adopted Flora locale and Plantlife's Code of Practice.
Composting and Landscaping at Home - a useful introduction from the USA to composting and gardening naturally.
Plantlife selection of recommended attractive wild plants with tips on how to grow them.
River of Flowers: "an evocative way of describing the planting of urban meadows in 'pollination streams' or 'green corridors' in order to help our pollinators, bees, butterflies and other insect pollnators, find forage in the city..."
Royal Horticultural Society: Wildflower meadow establishment
Royal Horticultural Society Wildflowers and the garden
RHS list of Perfect for Pollinators Plants
Trees for Cities: "inspires people to plant and love trees worldwide. Established in 1993, Trees for Cities creates social cohesion and beautifies our cities through tree planting, community-led design, education and training initiatives in urban areas that need it most."
Trees and other eco-system services - some information from Greener Kingston with links to resources to support nature-friendly planting
Local wildlife, conservation and biodiversity groups
Environment Trust for Richmond upon Thames (and Kingston): "Our purpose is to preserve and conserve open green spaces, wildlife and the best of the built environment, and to raise awareness of the issues that affect their survival."
Friends of Seething Wells are working towards a future where everyone can enjoy access to the Victorian waterworks alongside theThames in Surbiton. We are busy developing a plan to secure that future.... Much of the site has not been used for 20 years and now provides a unique habitat for an uncommonly wide range of rare plants, birds and bats. The open space, buildings, filter beds, reservoirs and tunnels provide a rich resource for anyone interested in nature, as well as Victorian culture, architecture and public health.
Surbiton & District Birdwatching Society
Kingston Biodiversity Network: "Find your tribe of nature lovers and start making a difference in Kingston. The Kingston Biodiversity Network links anyone who loves the environment and wants to change it for the better with the wonderful diversity of people already doing good in the borough." See also KBN Facebook page.
Nature and wildlife
RSPB podcasts: "features, interviews and news of birds and wildlife, from back gardens to the Sumatran rainforest..."
Simon Barnes of the RSPB on Nature and why it matters to us
Books
Tony Juniper What Has Nature Ever Done For Us?, reviewed by Michael McCarthy in The Independent: "This remarkable book brings into focus a revolution in ideas about the true value of the natural world."
Inspirations
Garden as catalyst: the story of Crystal Palace Transition Town’s prize-winning community garden
Kathryn Lwin Research for a Handbook on Growing Wild and Edible Plants in the Urban Landscape
The Olympic Park legacy: "This time next year the grey concrete space next to the Westfield Stratford shopping centre will be filled with wild flowers, bees, kingfishers and fountains. Work is already under way on what will be the largest new urban park built in the country for a century..." (Independent, 14/3/13)
River of Flowers London projects: Dalston Eastern Curve (Start of River of Flowers: East London) http://dalstongarden.org/; Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park(End of River of Flowers: East London) http://dalstongarden.org/; Grow Mayow (Start of River of Flowers: South London) http://growmayow.blogspot.co.uk/; Richard Reynolds (End of River of Flowers: South London) http://www.guerrillagardening.org/
Rotherham Council's River of Flowers was was popular with residents and visitors and won awards.