Residents with a passion for nature are wanted for a new group tasked with encouraging wildlife to flourish in Hammersmith & Fulham as part of the council’s efforts to make H&F the greenest borough in the country.
The Hammersmith & Fulham Biodiversity Commission will meet regularly to plan and drive projects to make the area more welcoming to plants and animals.
“We are determined to become the greenest borough in the country and that means creating an environment where people, plants and animals can all thrive,” said Cllr Wesley Harcourt, H&F Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Residents’ Services.
“We are fortunate in H&F to have waterways and green spaces that provide refuge and habitat for a wide variety of species, but we can do more to protect them against threats such as pollution and litter.”
The commission will be chaired by Hammersmith resident Morag Carmichael, who also coordinates the local Friends of the Earth group. She has previously volunteered with environmental social charity Groundworks and the Trees for Life project in Scotland.
“It is clear that some improvements that are already happening in H&F are being made with biodiversity in mind,” said Morag.
“However some animals, such as hedgehogs, swifts, sparrows, bees, bats and butterflies are in decline.”
The commission will launch later this month and is expected to work until summer 2017. It follows a report on H&F’s current biodiversity which was presented to H&F’s Community Safety, Environment and Residents’ Services Policy and Accountability Committee on Wednesday (16 November).
The commission’s work will include looking at ways of engaging with local schools on specialist projects and consider how planning policy can be improved to ensure future developments complement local ecologies.
Anyone interested in joining the commission is encouraged to register for a place. Qualifications are not necessary, although specialist qualifications and skills will be beneficial. A passion and knowledge of nature and relevant experience will also be helpful.
To apply, please email nivene.powell@lbhf.gov.uk with your contact details and give a summary of your skills and experience and what interests you about the project.
