Greenspace Information for Greater London

18/08/2026

🌿 Could London planning decisions be missing vital environmental evidence?

Every year, thousands of planning applications are submitted across London. Yet the proportion supported by a GiGL environmental data search remains considerably low - only 1.7%, when it should be more like 18%.

In a recent survey of 35 local environmental records centres, London had the lowest proportion of planning applications supported by data searches.

A GiGL data search gives planners, developers and their ecological consultants access to the most comprehensive environmental records available for their area, helping ensure decisions are based on robust evidence and nature can be accounted for.

Without the right data, important habitats and species could be overlooked and risks may be missed.

Please help in raising awareness of why environmental data matters throughout the planning process. Better evidence = Better decisions = Better outcomes for nature and people✅

📊 Take a look at the latest borough-level figures for London: https://buff.ly/25LdTE1

👉 Read the recommendations and explore the national figures:
https://buff.ly/Mlnlf13

30/07/2026

We've put London's Local Authority planning documents in one place so you don't have to! 📚️

We’ve recently updated GiGL’s Planning Document webpage - making it easier to find documents like...
🗺️ Local Plans and policy maps
📋️ Biodiversity relevant supplementary planning documents or guidance (SPD or SPG)
🌸 Biodiversity Action Plans
🌳 Strategies for open space, green infrastructure and climate.

We’ve recently heard from a student how useful it is:
“I wanted to tip my cap to you for putting together such a remarkably thorough resource - it is of huge public benefit, to researchers and advocates alike”

That’s exactly why we maintain it - to make important documents accessible, and save those working regionally the effort of trawling though over 30 complex websites to find them!

🔎 Find the updated resource on the GiGL website: https://buff.ly/4CVMqdO

GiGL uses planning documents for many purposes, such as in designated sites data validation and verification process. Because GiGL data are often used in planning and decision making, we use local planning documents to ensure that our London wide datasets of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservati...

29/07/2026

🌊 London's Clean and Healthy Rivers Plan launched today! It sets out ambitious goals and practical actions to improve the capital's rivers over the next 10 years - benefiting both people and nature.

GiGL were one of over 50 organisations that contributed to developing the plan. We contributed data expertise and helped establish meaningful species and habitat targets to support river restoration across London.

We're proud to have played a part in shaping this important strategy and look forward to continuing to support the Mayor of London and partners as they work to transform London's rivers and waterways over the next decade - improving river health, restoring wildlife, and creating more opportunities for Londoners to connect with nature 💚

Learn more about it here: https://buff.ly/qHxg4FO

23/07/2026

Ever wondered what hidden stories lie beneath your borough's landscape? 🌳📖

The London Ecology Unit handbooks are packed with fascinating history, alongside information on the habitats and wildlife recorded at the time. GiGL holds a complete set of these handbooks and, with permission from the GLA, has digitised them to make them available online!

Originally created as ecological guidance, they now offer a remarkable window into London's past. Discover records of Roman settlements, Celtic tribes and the Domesday Book that have shaped our knowledge of the city, alongside the weird and wonderful tales of the highway women of Hounslow Heath, cases of identity theft in Brent and even a parachuting cat in Vauxhall Gardens! 🪂

They're also a valuable historical resource for anyone interested in how London's habitats, open spaces and species have changed over time 🌼

What surprising piece of London's history will you uncover? 🔍 Explore the digitised handbooks yourself: https://www.gigl.org.uk/about-gigl/publications/london-ecology-unit-handbooks/

Read the stories our former volunteer Stephen found while using them for GiGL's Ancient Woodland Update project: https://www.gigl.org.uk/2024/10/17/stories-from-the-london-ecology-unit-handbooks/

26/06/2026

This Invasive Species Week take some time to explore the wealth of resources available to help protect your local wildlife and green spaces from invasive non-native species.

The GB Non-native Species Secretariat (NNSS) provides expert advice, practical resources, and tools to help you identify, record, prevent, and manage invasive species 💚

Find out how you can get involved and make a difference: https://www.nonnativespecies.org/what-can-i-do/invasive-species-week

22/06/2026

🐞 Insect Week 🤝 Invasive Species Week 🦝

Today marks the start of two important awareness weeks that highlight how every species record helps build a clearer picture of London's environment 🌿

Our Venn diagram may look a little crowded, but it shows how recording observations can support a range of outcomes - from helping native insects thrive, to managing invasive species. Whether it's a colourful butterfly, a busy bee, or an invasive species of concern, every record helps us to understand what's thriving, what's changing, and where action may be needed.

The Asian hornet and oak processionary moth are both invasive insect species that can have significant impacts. Both are present in London and are monitored and managed where possible, but everyone's involvement to record and spread awareness matters 🔎

📍 Please record invasive species to iRecord or the Asian Hornet Watch App. Other non-invasive species can be recorded direct to GiGL, or via iNaturalist or iRecord 📱

🔗 Keep an eye on our socials through the week, and find out more:
Insect Week https://buff.ly/awW1xMc
Invasive Species Week: https://buff.ly/BymVw8H

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.