The SUN Project

The SUN project, funded by the EU Life Environment programme, is an initiative aiming to increase awareness of wildlife conservation issues and involve the wider community in the Biodiversity Action Plan process.

The project is a partnership of seven organisations, including the London Boroughs of Richmond, Hounslow (CIP), Sutton, Redbridge and Bromley, Global to Local (an environmental consultancy) and Legambiente (an Italian environmental charity).

Local action for biodiversity

The primary aim of the SUN project in Richmond is to involve the local community in the implementation of the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP). The LBAP aims to protect and celebrate the Borough’s wildlife by implementing plans to conserve habitats and species of importance.  The Richmond BAP already involves a variety of stakeholders including The Royal Parks, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, London Wildlife Trust, London Wetland Centre, Historic Royal Palaces, local naturalists and residents.

Get Involved

Through the SUN project, Richmond Council is co-ordinating a series of practical projects, which work towards achieving the objectives set within the LBAP. These projects will be implemented by involving local people.

Since the project began in 2003, work has been underway on the following projects

1. Setting up a new ‘Friends of’ group to manage Grove Gardens Chapel grounds
2. Working with Friends of the River Crane Environment to enhance Mereway disused allotments
3. Heather restoration on Barnes Common
4. Stag beetle monitoring in Richmond Park and production of a new leaflet on Decaying Wood
5. Establishing a new reedbed on the Beverley Brook, Barnes common
6. Borough-wide Japanese Knotweed control project
7. Leaflet to publicise Richmond’s BAP, with details about the species and habitats
8. Improved access for wheelchair users and others at a nature conservation site
9. Wildlife garden competition in local primary schools
10. Better management of golf courses for biodiversity and conservation

The project runs until August 2006.  During this time, work will be focused on the following projects:

1. Continuing work to form a Friends of group for Grove Gardens Chapel grounds
2. Working with the Pensford Field Trust to run an open day and a number of practical events
3. Continuing heather restoration trials on Barnes Common
4. Co-ordinating a mistletoe education event
5. Working with allotment holders to survey for and encourage reptiles and amphibians on their plots
6. Working with the Environment Trust on the annual draw-off clean-up event on the River Thames
7. Don’t rubbish our sculpture!  Creating art from waste
8. A biodiversity inspired promotional production
9. Awarding of prizes from last year’s school wildlife garden competition
10. Acorn planting project with a local school

To find out more about the SUN project, and how to join in with some of the practical projects, contact The SUN Project Officer on 020 8487 5243.