the GiGLer

The newsletter of Greenspace Information for Greater London CIC
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Winter Editorial Issue 34

Welcome to the 34th Issue of the GiGLer. As with every editorial, this one is bursting with news from the last 6 months, from the launch of the London Day of Nature to the latest in all things planning and policy…

London Day of Nature 2023

It might have been the first event under the monicker ‘London Day of Nature’ (LDN), but the ideas discussed at Camley Street Natural Park on Saturday 28th October 2023 were far from rudimentary…

GiGL’s Digital Community

These days, many nature enthusiasts take to social media to communicate, connect, share, entertain and inspire. Here at GiGL, we’ve been part of this digital community via our online social media platforms for many years…

Interview, Lyndsey Cox

It’s a small thing but I actually really love engaging with new recorders. Providing help, information and encouragement, knowing that an engagement with nature is the first step on a lifelong journey…

Joy of Recording: Tom Fitton

Whatever the sector may be, whether it be the environment, healthcare, or something else, data is the evidence-base from which all decisions are made. I, therefore, feel that as a person with such a huge passion for the natural world, reporting what I find is a must.

Informing development in London

The updated figures on our Data Searches and Planning webpage give information on planning applications informed by GiGL data search reports in each Local Authority, which provide an indication of how well (or not) biodiversity data are used to inform development in London. We are a long way away from the ideal 18% but there are some Local Authorities that are doing better than others…

GiGL’s new data search reports

GiGL’s data search reports are an authoritative source of information on London’s natural environment and are key components when assessing the potential ecological impact of development projects. We constantly strive to improve our services, and as a response to feedback the GiGL team has been working on a series of bigger changes which we are happy to announce have just launched in collaboration with eCountability…

Biodiversity net gain pilot projects

The biodiversity net gain (BNG) process is quite complex and GiGL is keen to support our SLA partners and clients…The aim of this project is to create a BNG baseline for each area that can be used as an indication of its biodiversity value…It has been a great experience working with our partners on this project and we have definitely learnt a lot

GiGL’s Habitats: Preparing for Biodiversity net gain

From swathes of grassland and woodland in parks and nature reserves to tiny mosaics of vegetation on derelict land, London is a complex patchwork of different habitats. At GiGL we are working hard to prepare our habitat data for mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) this winter …

Summer editorial Issue 33

The variety of articles in the GiGLer’s 33rd Issue reflects our vibrant community and all the amazing work being done to understand and protect nature in our capital…

Developing an Axiophyte List and Rare Plant Register for Greater London and Middlesex

Axiophytes, Greek for ‘worthy plant’, are plant species which are indicators of habitats of interest for nature conservation….Rare Plant Registers (RPR) are a record of the rare plants found in an area…. The RPR should, alongside the Axiophyte List, provide Local Authorities, developers, ecologists and conservation managers with a valuable resource…

Joy of Recording – Lesnes Abbey Woods

Lesnes Abbey Woods, Bexley, is a hidden treasure in the heart of suburban London…In this Joy of Recording article we hear from 2 fantastic volunteers, Charles and Andrew, who give up their time every month to walk these transects and then send the resulting records to GiGL…We also hear from Ian Holt, the wood’s Estate Manager, on how he works with GiGL to use those records to help understand and protect the site and educate others.

Ecological Network Mapping

Uncovering Greater London’s ecological networks will play a vital role in influencing land management and habitat expansion decisions, focusing local recording effort and directing community participation. We hope that our maps will be useful not only for identifying current networks, but also highlighting opportunities for creating new ones…

Re-DiscoverLondon

We hope that you’ll enjoy using DiscoverLondon, whether you’re looking for information on a specific site or are just interested in wandering the virtual streets to see what you can find. We also hope this update will help us reach new audiences and make it easier for everyone to connect with their local area…

Volunteer Update

Since our first AWI volunteers joined the programme we have been able to develop the variety of projects we offer, with our species data entry and data maintenance projects kicking off at the start of 2023…

Ancient Woodland Inventory Volunteers

Though coming from different backgrounds and skillsets, our volunteers have been united by a love of the environment, especially of London’s ancient woodlands, and a desire to conserve it….I hope you enjoy getting to know them as much as I have…

Interview, Cam Witten

I see LERCs playing a vital role as both stewards and educators. The data and the places we look after are so much more than the sum of their parts. They’re the lifeblood of a greener, healthier, and happier London, and a London that is doing its bit to tackle the twin challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss…

Interview, Nick White

I find nature’s resilience in the face of all we do to it very inspiring. Little things, like a lone ‘weed’ forcing its way up through a crack in a concrete path or a bush that has managed somehow to self-seed in the mortar on a wall I find quite amazing….

London’s New B-Line

B-Lines are pathways that link up existing pollinator friendly habitats which can be used to focus efforts of habitat creation and restoration along their length. Hopefully over the coming years we will see a real increase in pollinator numbers from the establishment and influence of the B-Line network.