Greenspace Information for Greater London

19/06/2026

The June edition of the GiGLer Newsletter is here! 📖

This month, we look back at our London Day of Nature event in May – a fantastic sunny day of inspiring talks, engaging discussions and valuable feedback on GiGL services. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make it such a success! This article is a prefect recap: https://buff.ly/SorKkA4

🌳 We also explore the story behind London's updated Ancient Woodland Inventory, a major project that GiGL led over four years. Through extensive research, historic map analysis and verification work, the update has resulted in a remarkable 78% increase in Greater London's recorded ancient woodland area: https://buff.ly/IyUKUJd

Discover how these projects are helping to support nature and collaboration across London!

18/06/2026

GiGL's Vicky Kleanthous is excited to be presenting to WildChiswick volunteers on the power of to protect and connect green spaces tonight. An workshop will also help new users get the most out of the app and ensure their data can flow to GiGL. If you're in Hounslow, come along at 18.30 to St Nicholas Church, W4 2PH, register through the QR code below! 🐞
https://buff.ly/ko7qsFq

17/06/2026

This year at GiGL Towers, we're celebrating. It's been 20 years since we launched as a hosted local environmental records centre, though the story of GiGL stretches back even further.

Our CEO Mandy Rudd reflects on the journey and what GiGL has come to mean for London's nature and communities.

2026 is a year of significant anniversaries for us here at GiGL Towers. The Biological Recording Project (BRP) launched 30 years ago this month (May 1996) after a lot of preparatory work and a successful funding bid to Bridgehouse Estates Trust...

16/06/2026

Social enterprises like GiGL demonstrate a better way to do business, one that prioritises benefit to people and planet and uses the majority of any profit to further our mission and environmental sustainability.

We're a collaborative network of experts - we're a trusted and reliable source for data-driven solutions.

27/05/2026

The May edition of the GiGLer Newsletter is here! 🪲📸🔍️

This month, we’re celebrating 30 years since the 1996 Biological Recording Project that launched GiGL as London’s Local Environmental Record Centre 🥳 Our CEO, Mandy, reflects on the project’s early beginnings and the partnerships that helped shape GiGL’s success over the past three decades.
📖 https://buff.ly/FXlJAQ6

We also feature a special guest article from macro photographer and insect surveyor Penny Metal, who shares her passion for insects and inspiring species recording through work with students at James Allen’s Girls’ School 🐞
📖 https://buff.ly/ZyDLIia

09/05/2026

Our third session of the day at began with a heartfelt tribute to the one and only Mathew Frith, remembered by his close friends Richard Barnes and GiGL CEO Mandy Rudd. Mathew was a true champion for nature recovery in London and a familiar face at London Day of Nature events over the years.

Richard and Amelia Claridge from London Wildlife Trust then took us through London’s network of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs), focusing on the “more, bigger and better connected” 🌿 They highlighted recent policy and criteria changes designed to strengthen designation and protection across the capital.

Tony Madgwick also shared insights into the work of the London Natural History Society (LNHS), bringing together people through a shared love of the natural world 🌱 From recording wildlife and sharing knowledge, to talks, activities and volunteering opportunities, the message is clear: get involved, learn from others, and help build our collective understanding of nature in London.

The good news to take away - despite increasing pressure on land in London, greening efforts and enthusiasm for recording continue to grow! From community gardens to large-scale rewilding projects, people across the city are still taking action for nature.

Thank you to all of our Session 3 speakers for thoughtful and inspiring presentations!

09/05/2026

Session two is underway at 🌿A big thank you to Heather, Sarah and Elliot for their brilliant presentations!

Dr Heather Barrett-Mold shared how Pollinating London Together are making pollinator guidance and educational resources more accessible and replicable for all - even expanding their work into Edinburgh 🐝 Through years of standardised pollinator surveys in the City of London, they’re helping build a clearer picture of how pollinators are faring over time. Key takeaway: diversity of plants = diversity of pollinators 🌸

Sarah Lewington introduced the London Invasive Species Initiative, highlighting the importance of targeted management and varied expertise when tackling harmful invasive species such as zebra mussels, giant hogweed and American mink. A fascinating reminder too that not all non-native species have negative impacts - and that some familiar species, including snowdrops, horse-chestnut, brown hare and collared dove, are also non-native 🌱

Elliot Newton from Citizen Zoo demonstrated just how special London’s communities are for rewilding - something reflected so clearly by today’s attendees. He spotlighted rewilding projects for lesser-known species - we heard about the ‘clattering’ white storks, German hairy snails (with 670 recorded in London surveys!), and one of the UK’s rarest plants through the Tower Mustard Project 🐌🌼

09/05/2026

Our Vicky has officially kicked-off 🎉Celebrating GiGL’s milestones over the past 30 years and reflecting on how being helpful sits at the heart of everything we do 💚 From collating London’s species database with our invaluable recording community, to our long-standing relationship with The Royal Parks, and more recent projects like exploring the capital's ponds 🐸

Then a brilliant talk from Lucy Wattam & Rachel Dring at Capital Growth , showcasing the value of food growing spaces across London 🌱 From orchards and allotments to city farms and community gardens, Capital Growth supports the largest food growing network in the city. A thoughtful discussion on balancing food growing with nature - caterpillars vs cabbages 🥬🐛 How education around organic principles and encouraging recording with their Big City Bug Hunt - and critter consultants! - help make space for nature.

Thank you to our Session 1 presenters!!

09/05/2026

Today is the day! 🐞🐾🦉 We’re excited to get London Day of Nature underway at Camley Street Natural Park!

The tea, coffee, and snacks are flowing, the GiGL team are ready to greet attendees, and our two stalls - centred on photography and geodiversity - are ready to educate and inspire 💚

Find everything you need to know in our delegates pack here: https://buff.ly/3lzu90Q

Share your highlights from the day using the hashtag

Couldn’t join us today? Not to worry! We’ll be sharing presentation videos from the event soon, and you can already catch up on 2024’s content here: https://buff.ly/7f9QrSH

08/05/2026

Happy 100th Birthday to Sir David Attenborough! 🎉🦍🌱

The birthday of all birthdays for the man who makes both London and the natural world his home🌿 Born in Isleworth (LB Hounslow), living in Richmond, and working with several of our partners including The Royal Parks and London Wildlife Trust, Sir David’s local roots run deep. And whenever he’s asked his favourite place in the world - the answer is Richmond Park🌳We’ve even given him a home of his own in ours & LWT's office - in cardboard form!

Thank you for everything you’ve done to make a difference and for continuously spreading your contagious care and passion for the natural world to so many people 💚

Pictured below: Claudia, our Royal Parks Officer, with Sir David some years ago, and GiGLer's Lou & Frankie (former team member) alongside our legendary cardboard cut-out, who still quietly lurks in the background of Teams meetings… 👀📸