A major project will support wildlife in London and other UK cities through a biodiverse green space, scientific innovation and engaging young people.
The natural world faces unprecedented declines and needs help now more than ever. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, The Urban Nature Project will help to monitor and safeguard nature in cities across the UK. The project aims to help people form a lifelong connection with the natural world and empower them to understand and protect it.
A transformed green space
The Natural History Museum's five-acre site in South Kensington is to be transformed into a welcoming, accessible and biodiverse green space in the heart of London.
The new, sustainable design extends the existing habitats and turns the area into a haven for wildlife ‒ including grazing Greyface Dartmoor sheep.
Over 3,300 species have been found in the museum's garden since it opened 25 years ago, many of which have contributed to scientific studies. The figure is expected to double when the renovation is completed in 2023.
The Urban Nature Project will create a diverse learning area for the thousands of visitors that walk through the museum gates each year. This incorporates:
Plans to improve access to the space include updated walkways, step-free access and new seating areas.
A nationwide urban nature movement
The project is set to reach over 1.5m people via the creation of a collaborative, nationwide movement to urgently address the rapid decline of urban biodiversity and habitat loss.
The museum garden will be used for national monitoring programmes to record changes in Britain's urban wildlife, some of which involve piloting new technology. These innovations can then be shared with partners around the country to build up a bigger picture of how wildlife is changing over time.
Through an extended schools programme, museum staff will work with organisations across the UK to inspire the next generation, create new opportunities for young people in cities and help everyone to learn about humanity's impact on the natural world.
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Posted On: 12/08/2021