Biodiversity is the number and variety of organisms in a region. It includes all species of plants, animals, and the ecosystems of which they are part.
Many enjoy seeing wildlife and value open spaces. Biodiversity provides important services we rely on. In an urban area such as Harrow, biodiversity plays a vital role in:
- Cleaning our air
- Reducing the effects of high temperatures in summer
- Helping to control and reduce flooding.
Our Biodiversity management plans
- Belmont Trail
- Cedars Open Space
- Celadine Route
- Grims Ditch
- Headstone Manor
- Old Redding Complex
- Old Tennis Courts
- Pinner Memorial Park
- Seven-Acre Lake
- Stanmore Marsh
What you can do for biodiversity
There are some simple steps you can take to help biodiversity in your local area:
- Join the Harrow Biodiversity Partnership or a local group.
- Record the wildlife that you see in Harrow.
- Help to make your own garden or local green space more wildlife-friendly.
How to make spaces wildlife-friendly
- Plant nectar-rich flowers. This helps to attract butterflies to your garden. A mix of flowers attracts more helpful insects and fewer pests.
- Compost your old vegetable peelings. It will make a rich fertiliser for your soil. If you buy compost, make sure it is peat free to prevent destruction of peat bogs
- Help birds in the spring by putting out nesting materials. Hang small bundles of straw, sticks and shredded woollen jumpers near their feeds.
- Take part in the London Wildlife Trust's garden survey. This lets them know what species you have seen in your garden.
- Build a wildlife pond to provide a home for frogs, toads, and newts in your garden.