Rewilding London

London’s wildlife is rich and varied – there are over 15,000 species and a wide range of natural habitats. 1,600 areas, known as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs), are protected because of their importance for wildlife. These are spread across all boroughs and cover nearly 20 per cent of London’s surface area. They’re home to some of the city’s most rare and interesting species and the habitats they need to  thrive. 

These sites include: 

• world-famous nature reserves such as Richmond Park  
• nationally important wetlands like Walthamstow Wetlands, the London Wetland Centre in Barnes and the grazing marsh of Rainham Marshes 
• the downlands in South London  that helped to inspire Charles Darwin’s scientific discoveries 
• ancient woodlands and heathlands such as Perivale Woods in West London and Hampstead Heath.

Despite ongoing efforts, the world’s biodiversity is deteriorating. The UK is in the bottom 10 per cent of countries for this, and London’s wildlife is no exception. 

Added to this, the climate emergency has increased the risk of floods, overheating and drought, posing dangers to both people and the environment. 

Rewilding is a way to help address these challenges. Rewilding is about allowing nature to restore itself. If nature is allowed to thrive in the right locations, it can take care of itself and bring greater benefits to people and wildlife.

There is a spectrum of rewilding activities possible in London: from returning large areas of land to nature, to reintroducing missing species, to smaller interventions on Londoners’ doorsteps.  

The Environment Act 2021 places stronger requirements on local and regional authorities to plan for nature recovery. 

City Hall plans to rewild areas in London by restoring natural processes and making it easier for plants and wildlife to flourish. This will improve biodiversity, increase Londoners’ access to green space, reduce flood risk and improve water quality. 

We have already: 

• launched a £6m investment in green spaces and climate resilience 
• awarded £1.4m in funding for 45 community projects to create and improve green spaces and boost climate resilience 
• introduced policies in the London Plan to protect green spaces and the Green Belt. 
• awarded a £600,000 Rewild London Fund to restore wildlife sites and enhance natural habitats for plants and animals to thrive  
• Invested £300,000 for Keep it Wild traineeships to support young Black, Asian and minority ethnic Londoners, young disabled Londoners, and those from areas of economic deprivation, to develop the skills they need to work on these types of environmental projects. 

The Mayor has also formed the London Rewilding Taskforce, a group of experts that will consider ambitious, innovative projects to rewild London to support nature recovery and enhance biodiversity. 

The taskforce will meet between Spring and Autumn 2022. They want to hear Londoners’ views and ideas through our: 

• rewilding survey  
• rewilding discussion 

They will consider Londoners’ views and present their recommendations to the Mayor and City Hall in the autumn. 

The Mayor’s Environment team is working to tackle the most urgent environmental challenges facing our city, as well as safeguard London’s environment over the longer term. 

The London Rewilding Taskforce is a group of 14 experts from local and national organisations as well as, youth and the environmental news media. It’s chaired by Shirley Rodrigues, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy. They will meet between Spring and Autumn 2022 and explore opportunities for rewilding in London to support nature recovery and enhance biodiversity, while bringing benefits to Londoners and addressing the climate and ecological emergency.