Biodiversity in Camden

On the 7 October 2019 Camden Council declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency.

Nature is in crisis. The abundance and diversity of nature experienced by previous generations are not shared by present generations, and our lives are poorer for it. 

In 2019, a global assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services  estimated that a million species are at risk of extinction, many within decades, concluding that “…we are eroding the very foundations of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life.” The fact that so many species are declining at such a rate – 100 to 1000 times the natural background rate – has led to the situation being described as the planet’s “sixth mass extinction” .

The UK’s own assessment of its biodiversity indicators  shows that we are still failing in many areas, with priority species, farmland and woodland birds, and pollinating insects continuing to decline.

In 2019 the UK’s conservation and research organisations presented an overview of how the country’s wildlife is faring in the State of Nature report, looking back over nearly 50 years of monitoring to see how nature has changed in the UK, with a focus on the trends in species. They found that, since the 1970s:

• 41% of species have decreased in abundance (the number of individuals in a species’ population)
• 15% of species are threatened with extinction
• Causes of decline

Nationally, the primary causes of species decline are agricultural management, climate change, pollution, urbanisation, lack of woodland management, hydrological change, and invasive non-native species. Many of these are also global drivers of species loss, driven by international markets, including demand from the UK . At a more regional or local scale not all of these apply to the same extent, and many of the problems Camden’s wildlife faces – problems we need to face up to if we want to help wildlife – are those typical of an urbanised environment.

As part of the declaration of the Ecological Emergency, the council committed to “…produce a new ecological plan for Camden to sustain and improve biodiversity in Camden…” and to encourage “…all citizens, businesses, and organisations or groups in the borough of Camden to join with the Council to…protect and improve biodiversity, in order to avert impending catastrophe.”

On the 7 October 2019 Camden Council declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency. As part of that declaration, the council committed to 

“…produce a new ecological plan for Camden to sustain and improve biodiversity in Camden…” and to encourage “…all citizens, businesses, and organisations or groups in the borough of Camden to join with the Council to…protect and improve biodiversity, in order to avert impending catastrophe.”

The Council adopted a new biodiversity strategy, 'Creating space for nature in Camden' in January 2022.

The strategy sets out a vision and seven key objectives. These will be achieved by establishing a Camden Nature Recovery Network and a new Biodiversity Action Plan, which will be developed and delivered by working with organisations across the Borough in a Camden Nature Partnership.

Our decisions will be evidence-based, plan for a changing climate, and involve communication and engagement with, and the participation of, the citizens and communities of Camden.

The biodiversity strategy 'Creating space for nature in Camden' can be downloaded below.

Download 'Creating space for nature in Camden' (web quality 7MB)

Download 'Creating space for nature in Camden' (print quality 13MB)

 

The Biodiversity Strategy, Nature Recovery Network and our vision and objectives can only be achieved by through taking action. Those actions are set out in the Biodiversity Action Plan. As with the previous Biodiversity Action Plan, it will be developed and delivered alongside many other organisations working in the Borough. Many of these organisations are already doing great things for nature. The Council’s actions are informed by the vision and objectives of the biodiversity strategy, as well as public consultation. 

Developing and delivering actions will be an ongoing process. The Action Plan will be a live document updated regularly to include any new projects that emerge and update ongoing actions, at a frequency appropriate to a project’s timetable.

The most recent review of the Biodiversity Action Plan can be downloaded via the link at the bottom of the page. This document includes completed actions (and therefore not included in the list below), and where an action in the list below has been revised, its original wording and/or target date.

While reporting on the achievements of the activities and projects in the Action Plan will be an ongoing process, progress made against the objectives in the Strategy will be assessed every five years. This will involve measuring the achievements of the Action Plan against losses from external factors or unforeseen events. This will identify any gaps in both the Action Plan and the overall strategy, seeking to identify new actions to fill those gaps or revise and expand the objectives as necessary.

Actions

Below is a list of actions and target dates for achieving. They are listed by objective in the Biodiversity Strategy. Though many may contribute to more than one objective they are only listed once.

Designated Sites

Increase proportion of SINCs in positive management for biodiversity
End of Plan Period (Jan 2027)

Revise Management Plans for Local Nature Reserves
Spring 2026

Review management of Council-owned Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Autumn 2025

Review Local Nature Reserve Designations and identify potential new sites for designation    
Winter 25/26

Camden Nature Recovery Network

Develop the Camden Nature Recovery Network: identify core areas, corridors and stepping stones
Summer 2026

Greening the Grey

Identify project opportunities for urban greening for biodiversity, prioritising Areas of Deficiency in Access to Nature, areas of deficiency in access to green space, and areas of deprivation
Ongoing

Ensure developments in Camden result in increased biodiversity
Ongoing

Integrate the objectives of the Biodiversity Strategy with Council approaches to Sustainable Urban Drainage and other nature based solutions
Ongoing

Ensure all Green Space Development projects include planting for biodiversity
Ongoing

Produce revised Camden Planning Guidance: Biodiversity and Biodiversity Net Gain
End 2026

Habitats

Identify areas for creation of new flower-rich meadows    
Ongoing

Increase the area of Flower-rich meadows
End of Plan Period (Jan 2027)

Identify areas for creation of new reedbeds
Ongoing

Increase the area of reedbed habitats
End of Plan Period (Jan 2027)

Increase the area of species-rich woodland through management changes and planting
End of Plan Period (Jan 2027)

Resurvey area of priority habitats
Autumn 2026

Review management of Council-owned woodland to increase species diversity
Autumn 2025

Identify areas for planting of new species rich woodland
Autumn 2026

Produce wildlife gardening advice    
Spring 2026

Produce advice for allotment holders on encouraging wildlife
Spring 2026

Parks and Green Spaces

Increase the area of meadows and relaxed mowing in parks and green spaces
End of Strategy Period (Jan 2027)

Increase the length of conservation hedgerows across Parks and Green Spaces
End of Strategy Period (Jan 2027)

New and replaced areas of planting to include species of benefit to pollinators
Ongoing

Provide a point of contact and promotion between park users and Council Nature Conservation initiatives
Ongoing

Produce guidance for 'Friends of' Groups about how to help nature
Spring 2026

Species

Undertake monthly moth trapping (April-Sept) at Camden Reserves
Ongoing

Run a species related event at a Camden site
2025 (annual action)

Provide guide/advice/case studies on delivering biodiversity enhancements for property
Autumn 2025

Install Swift boxes on Lissenden Gardens Estate during repair works
Summer 2025

Support local communities and organisations in linking hedgehog populations across Camden
Ongoing

Review species records for the borough to determine likely status
Spring 2026

Produce a 'State of Camden's Nature' Report from the review of species and habitats evidence
End of Plan Period (January 2027)

Develop Bat Monitoring project for the Regent's Canal
Autumn 2025

Trees

Increase Council Tree Canopy Cover
End of Plan Period (December 2026)

Promote Tree Planting on Private Land
Ongoing

Increase Council tree species diversity
End of Plan Period (January 2027)

Create tree species and biodiversity guidance
Spring 2026

Access to Nature

Increase number of Camden Green Gym sessions
End of Plan Period (January 2027)

Biodiversity Action Map on Council website
Spring 2025

Revise Outdoor Classroom system    
April 2026

Review opening times of Local Nature Reserves and similar sites    
Autumn 2026

Include information on what wildlife can be seen where on Council website    
Summer 2025

Develop Annual Comms plan and calendar to include citizen science
Winter 24/25 (annual)

Develop a Participation Plan to engage residents in nature conservation and access to nature, including measures to engage with Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, and those in areas of deprivation
Autumn 2026

Download the Biodiversity Action Plan Review November 2024
 

Places designated for their wildlife value are at the core of nature’s recovery; refuges from where wildlife can expand out into surrounding areas, given the chance.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are the country’s best wildlife and geological sites. Hampstead Heath Woods SSSI, part of the Kenwood Estate managed by English Heritage, is the only SSSI in Camden. SSSI is a statutory designation, and these sites receive a strong level of protection through legislation.

Site of Importance for Nature Conservation

A Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) is an area that is considered important for its biodiversity value at a London, borough or local level. Designations are declared by the local authority in conjunction with the London Wildlife Sites Board. It is a non-statutory designation, meaning such sites have no protection in law. However, in Camden they are afforded some protection from development through the planning process through policies in the Local Plan .

There are a number of ‘grades’ of SINC designation, reflecting the scale of importance of the area, from Metropolitan for sites important for London, including Hampstead Heath and the Regent’s Canal, to those important at a Local level, with a couple of grades for sites important at a Borough level in between. 

Camden has 38 areas designated as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation, covering almost 414 hectares. Some of these are managed by the Council, the rest owned by various organisations, most notably the City of London Corporation, the Royal Parks and Network Rail. These SINCs form the core of Camden’s wildlife network.

Local Nature Reserves

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) are sites that are important for wildlife and provide local communities with opportunities to access and engage with nature. They are designated by local authorities, in consultation with Natural England, and as a statutory designation they are afforded some protection through legislation and planning policy. There are four Local Nature Reserves in Camden: Adelaide, Belsize Wood, Westbere Copse, and Camley Street Natural Park. 
 

 

Habitats

There are many different types of habitat across the Borough, from the neatly mown amenity grassland of our parks to the ancient Ken Wood, from the Regent’s Canal to the spring-fed wet grassland flushes at Waterlow Park, and from small private gardens to extensive green roofs on office blocks.   

Amenity grassland is the most prevalent habitat and is widely distributed across Camden. While it has limited value for wildlife it does offer significant scope for improvement where this does not conflict with other needs – something the Council has been actively pursuing. Woodland is the second commonest habitat and supports a wide range of wildlife, mainly in the north of the borough or along railway embankments.

There are several habitats in Camden that have declined nationally and are of principal importance  for nature conservation. This includes woodland, neutral grassland, acid grassland, reedbeds, heathland, and ponds and canals.

Species

A diverse range of species have been recorded in Camden. This includes common and resident species, like blackbirds, recorded over 1,300 times since 1976, to species that have only been recorded once or a few times, which may be rare in the Borough, or hard to find, or both.

Some of these species have declined nationally to such an extent that they are considered of principal importance for nature conservation in England. Over 60 of these national priorities have been recorded in Camden, including house sparrows (60% decline in 40 years), toads (68% decline in 30 years), hedgehogs (46% population decline), and stag beetles. Additional species have been identified not as national priorities but of conservation concern for London, and over a dozen of such have been recorded in Camden. These include bats like common pipistrelles and Daubenton’s bats and birds including dunnocks, peregrines, black redstarts and song thrushes.

While species are well monitored at a few sites, and a few species are surveyed at larger scales, our knowledge of how well many species are doing across Camden is lacking. Looking at the data we have shows a mixed picture, with some species records increasing and other decreasing. This just shows us how frequently a species is recorded, however, not how it is doing. Hedgehog records have increased hugely for example, but this is almost certainly due to increased survey effort in recent years. Some species have not been recorded at all in the last ten years, but it may be that no one has looked for them in the right place or with the right survey method. We are working with experts to try and fill in the gaps in our knowledge.

List of species of principal importance for the conservation of biodiversity (S41) and London Species of Conservation Concern that have been recorded in Camden since 1980.

No one person or organisation can solve the ecological crisis, and helping nature recover in Camden is going to take all of us doing what we can; a diversity of individuals, community groups, schools, organisations and businesses  - and the Council - sharing our enthusiasm, knowledge, resources, and skills. We've provided some ideas for how to help nature below, with links to further information.

Whether you do something from this list or are already doing something, be sure to tell us about it using the form linked to in the 'Your action for nature' section.

Sharing your space with nature - Gardening for wildlife

There are around 48,000 gardens in Camden, covering over 400 hectares, but even if you only have space for a window box or a plant pot or two you can do something for nature. One of the best things you can do is provide food for insects and other animals by growing wildlife-friendly plants, and putting up bird, bat or insect boxes can also help.

The following links provide some useful guides for helping wildlife in the garden

• Wild About Gardens
• Royal Horticultural Society’s ‘Plants for Pollinators’
• London Wildlife Trust's 'Garden for a Living London'
• The Wildlife Trusts’ 'Actions for Wildlife' 
• British Trust for Ornithology’s wildlife gardening advice
• Butterfly Conservation’s gardening for butterflies and moths advice

 

Lending a hand - Volunteering

 

Many people do not have a garden of their own. If you don’t have your own outdoor space, there are opportunities to help look after other areas, like our nature reserves, community gardens and parks. One of the simplest ways to do this is to join the group that helps look after your nearest Park (information can usually be found on the Park noticeboard), but there are several opportunities across the Borough.

• Volunteer with any of four Green Gyms looking after sites across Camden
• Volunteer with London Wildlife Trust or Global Generation 
• Help monitor wildlife and look after Hampstead Heath with Heath Hands

Lending your eyes and ears - recording wildlife sightings

Despite all we do know about Camden’s wildlife, we also know there are gaps in our knowledge. Having a good understanding of where wildlife is helps us to protect it and connect it, increasing its chances of surviving and thriving. Everyone can help contribute to our knowledge and fill these gaps by recording wildlife, whether it’s by submitting an occasional bird sighting, taking part in national annual citizen science projects like the Big Garden Bird Count or the Big Butterfly Count, or undertaking a more detailed survey. Wildlife sightings are welcome from anywhere whether seen from your window or spotted in a nature reserve or park.

All wildlife sightings can be submitted to Greenspace Information for Greater London
 
The RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch, which doesn’t have to be done in a garden, takes place in winter and the Big Butterfly Count takes place in summer  

London-specific wildlife recording links include:

• Urban urchins (Hedgehogs) 
• Stag beetles 
• Kestrels 
• Owls  

The Bat Conservation Trust runs a number of different surveys through the National Bat Monitoring Programme. The Sunset Survey is ideal for those with those without any previous bat surveying experience, though there are online resources and workshops to build up the skills to help with the other surveys. 

Further advice

If you look after a green space in Camden and need further advice on improving it for nature, or finding out what nature is there, contact the Nature Conservation Officer.

Email the Nature Conservation Officer
 

Being a ‘conscious consumer’

Much biodiversity loss around the world is a result of global demand, and so the food we eat and the things we buy may, directly or indirectly, be a part of this. Production of palm oil, used in almost 50% of the packaged products we find in supermarkets, is a major driver of deforestation in Indonesia and Malaysia, and the production of soy has led to huge areas of deforestation and habitat loss in south America. Forest loss and conversion of soils also releases greenhouse gases and thus contributes to climate change. In the UK, peatlands, vital for wildlife, storing water and carbon, are still being stripped despite a government pledge to end peat sales by 2020. By being a ‘conscious consumer’ and avoiding those products and ingredients links to biodiversity decline you can contribute to positive change. More information on products and their links to biodiversity loss and other issues can be found on Ethical Consumer.

Camden’s nature reserves and green spaces provide a rich environment for outdoor learning. Most of our nature reserves are open to the public at weekends. 

Schools and childcare settings can book sites for self-led activities during the week. A booking enquiry form will need to be filled out. This can be done as either:

• a word document that can be filled in online and emailed

• a PDF that can be printed out, filled in, scanned and emailed

We would encourage the online word document option as it is more sustainable. 

You will also need to provide a Risk Assessment for your activities, and evidence of your Public Liability Insurance. You are also required to agree to abide by a Code of Conduct when using a nature site. 

Map of locations of nature sites

Code of Conduct

Many of Camden's nature reserves, as well as biodiversity features in parks and green spaces, are maintained by the good will and ongoing support of volunteers.

The Conservation Volunteers lead twice-weekly conservation Green Gyms that work across the borough, and there are three independent Community Green Gyms that concentrate on particular sites.

Not only does volunteering with the Green Gyms help look after nature, it also keeps us active, improves our health and provides opportunities to learn about nature conservation and habitat creation and management.

Guidance, training and tools provided so no experience is necessary.

Learn more about Green Gyms in Camden

No one person or organisation can solve the ecological crisis, and helping nature recover in Camden is going to take all of us doing what we can. A diversity of individuals, community groups, schools, organisations, businesses, and the Council. Sharing our enthusiasm, knowledge, resources, and skills.

If you are not sure what you can do, have a look at the ‘How to help nature’ section for some ideas.

If you are already doing something to help nature in Camden we want to hear about it.

We can even add it to our Biodiversity Action Map so it can be shared with others. This will be great if you are looking to connect with the wider community, looking for volunteers or just want to enthuse others. Feel free to include a photo and ask any questions if you would like some advice.

Tell us about your action for nature