Urban wildlife code

The Urban Wildlife Code Respect • Protect • Enjoy

This guide was produced as an urban version of the Countryside Code which applies to all parts of the countryside in England and Wales.

The Countryside Code started life in the 1950s and was updated in 2012 by Natural England. The Code makes it clear what the responsibilities are for both the public and the people who manage the land. Most of it is just good common sense, designed to help us all to respect, protect and enjoy our countryside.

This guide was produced by the Friends of Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park and was funded by a grant from Awards for All.

Since 1976 when the Ecological Parks Trust set up the first UK urban wildlife site, interest in urban wildlife has grown and grown. More urban nature parks have been created and more ordinary parks are becoming wildlife friendly. Urban parks face different issues to countryside sites and this guide seeks to address some of these issues.

We hope that we have produced broad guidelines that apply to lots of urban wildlife sites. We encourage other urban sites to reproduce this guide according to their own needs. It is also available online at www. urbanecology.org.uk The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is the main legislation that protects wildlife in the UK.

Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park is owned by the Land Trust and managed by The Conservation Volunteers. ©2013 Friends of Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park, The Ecology Park Gatehouse, Thames Path, John Harrison Way, London SE10 0QZ. Registered Charity 1119415. ©2013 Natural England Some material is reproduced with the permission of Natural England, www.naturalengland.org.uk/copyright Printed on 100% recycled paper using vegetable inks [UWC/FOGPEP/JS/RB/0913]

The Urban Wildlife Code•respect•protect•enjoy Protect Respect Enjoy for wildlife, respect for people

local wild spaces

your local wild spaces

Showing consideration and respect for wildlife and other people ensures nature parks and wild areas are pleasant environments for everyone.

We have a responsibility to protect our nature parks now and for future generations, so make sure your enjoyment of these places does no harm to them.

Nature parks and wild areas are great places to relax and to discover and watch wildlife.

• Enjoy the peace and quiet – the quieter you are, the more you and other visitors will see and hear.

• Don’t be tempted to pick wild flowers – they are much more beautiful in their natural setting where everyone can appreciate them and are particularly precious in urban areas.

• Put your litter in a bin or take it home. Litter doesn’t just spoil the beauty of a wildlife area; it can be dangerous to wildlife and even spread disease.

• Leave nests alone – birds can abandon their nests and young if disturbed.

• Fires can be devastating to wildlife and wild areas – so take care with naked flames and cigarettes at any time of the year. Never drop cigarette ends, especially near dry vegetation. If a fire appears to be unattended then report it by calling 999.

• Natural features such as rocks, plants and log piles are important homes for many animals. Take special care not to damage or remove them.

• Follow any signs and guidance provided at nature parks. Keep to paths and walkways, where provided, to avoid disturbing or trampling wild areas

• Natural foods are plentiful in wildlife areas, even on urban sites. Bread is junk food for wild animals – they may fill up on it, preventing them eating the food they really need. Left over bread attracts rats and spreads disease, harmful to people and wildlife.

• Never release unwanted pets, such as goldfish and terrapins, in wildlife areas. Many pets will not survive in the wild and those that do can cause serious problems for local wildlife. Ask for advice from local animal welfare organisations.

DID YOU KNOW?

DID YOU KNOW?

Wild flowers, wild birds’ nests and other wildlife are protected by law in towns and cities as well as in the countryside

In the UK, it is illegal to release into the wild any animal that is not normally resident or a frequent visitor to the UK

• Check whether you can take dogs into wildlife areas and, if so, whether your dog needs to be kept on a lead. On open access land with no signage, keep your dog under close control. This is especially important at nesting time in the spring – be aware that some birds may be nesting on the ground.

• Bag and bin dog mess – no one likes stepping in it and it can cause infections.

• Find out more about urban wildlife via websites or information boards and leaflets on site. If there are wardens or volunteers on site, ask them about the local wildlife.

• Learn to love messy! If you visit a local wildlife site and it looks unloved or you have concerns about its wildlife, try and find out who owns it or looks after it. You may even be able to help manage it yourself as a volunteer! But do remember that long grass and deadwood piles are just two examples of vital habitats that are home to many animals.

• You are responsible for your own safety and for others in your care, so check beforehand for accessibility and be prepared for weather changes and natural hazards such as mud, tree branches and deep water.