main content Bromley Biodiversity Action Plan

What do we mean by biodiversity? Find out what it's all about, view the Action Plan and see how you can take part.

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Bromley’s `biodiversity’ is important to people living and working in the borough for many different reasons. Sometimes we take it for granted. Charles Darwin, who lived in the borough for forty years, didn’t take it for granted; the biodiversity we appreciate was an inspiration to him and his insights into the natural world.

The term 'biodiversity' includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates, plants, algae, fungi and more obscure micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses. It also includes the complex relationships between them and with their physical surroundings.

Globally, the species and habitats around us not only need protecting, but positive action to help them thrive. In doing so they can continue to provide us with benefits such as:

food and drink
medicines
industrial materials
ecological services
leisure, cultural and aesthetic values

With a local plan of action for wildlife, we can be more certain of how our biodiversity will fair over time. The Bromley Biodiversity Action Plan (BBAP) provides a platform from which to highlight habitats and species that are locally valued. It also provides a basis on which to direct habitat and species conservation, with which everyone can participate. The Bromley Biodiversity Partnership was the first to produce a local biodiversity action plan for a London Borough in 1999, the plan is now in it's third edition.

The plan’s title, `The Future of Darwin’s Wildlife in Bromley’, plays tribute to Darwin and acknowledges the legacy for which we are all responsible. Many organisations and individuals have already had an impact in helping biodiversity in the Borough as part of the Bromley Biodiversity Partnership.

As one of a network of plans at the UK, regional and local level across the country, we know we are contributing to a wider movement which has developed since world governments agreed to try to halt the worldwide loss of wildlife in 1992.

To find out more about our local biodiversity events, places where you can enjoy biodiversity and what you can do to help visit www.bromleybiodiversity.co.uk, where you can also view and download The Bromley Biodiversity Action Plan 3rd Edition 2006-9.