Biodiversity | Elmbridge Borough Council

We are helping to tackle the decline in biodiversity. As part of our climate emergency response we are looking at different ways to manage our green open spaces and increase opportunities for biodiversity.

Tree planting

We support Surrey County Councils vision to plant 1.2million trees by 2030 and identify new planting locations in our greenspaces on an annual basis. We welcome recommendations for tree planting locations on Elmbridge owned greenspaces.

Sustainable bedding plants and displays

We are phasing out annual bedding displays in favour of perennial options that give a display over several years. Where possible, we are introducing sustainable planting suitable for the location to attract insects and provide habitats for wildlife. We are reducing the usage of herbicides in our greenspaces and only use them where there is no suitable alternative.

Biodiversity improvements

We regularly review our greenspaces and where suitable introduce new areas of long grass and some wildflower meadows for biodiversity. Some areas are maintained to encourage biodiversity such as our meadows and we encourage some areas in our greenspaces to remain wild to provide habitat and wildlife corridors.

Biodiversity walks and talks

We run a programme of events which allow you to get involved and enjoy Elmbridge’s beautiful nature. Find out more information about our upcoming guided walks and the current woodland management programme.

Elmbridge's Biodiversity Boost campaign

We have prepared a media pack for you to download to support the campaign, including a poster, social media banners and a video.

Poster

Document

Poster (PDF, 815.34KB)

Social media banners

Elmbridge's biodiversity boost social media banner version 1

View the full size social media banner (version 1) and then right click to save it.

Elmbridge Biodiversity Boost social media banner version 2

View the full size social media banner (version 2) and then right click to save it.

Elmbridge Biodiversity Boost social media banner version 3

View the full size social media banner (version 3) and then right click to save it.

Video

Watch the video on YouTube and then choose the download option to save it.

There are lots of ways to support nature.

How to support nature in your garden

To support nature in your garden:

retain existing plants and trees
leave a gap in fence for wildlife
maintain or create a green corridor for wildlife
create a pond
leave an area of the garden wild
use eco-friendly products in gardens and local habitats

How to support nature if you don't have a garden

To support nature if you don't have a garden:

start a balcony or roof garden
plant wildlife-friendly plants which you can also use in your kitchen, such as thyme or sage
add a small water feature, like a bird bath
welcome bees by installing a bee hotel
encourage birds with a bird feeder
join in at a community garden or start an allotment

How to support nature as part of development proposals

Advice should be taken from a qualified ecologist, but some initial ideas include:

bat and bird boxes, and access points for bats in roof voids
minimising external lighting
removing invasive species
linking into wider green infrastructure and local nature designations, for example, green corridors, Biodiversity Opportunity Areas, Sites of Nature Conservation Importance
considering the impact of new vehicle or pedestrian access points - does the location and width avoid or minimise the impact on retained hedges or trees?
replacing amenity grassland with suitably managed species-rich grassland or areas of wildflower planting

For more information see:

DM Advice Note 7 - Supporting biodiversity and encouraging nature in development (PDF, 297.71KB)