28 Apr 2003 - 01 Jan 2004
LONDONERS ENCOURAGED TO GO WILD IN THE ROYAL PARKS New partnership access project launched in Regent's Park
Regent's Park

Wildlife for All, an innovative partnership between The Royal Parks and the RSPB, will be launched at a special event on Wednesday 7th May. Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the project is an exciting and innovative new approach to get Londoners involved with wildlife.

Using London's eight Royal Parks as a base, Wildlife for All aims to get people involved with city's wildlife using a range of exciting activities and events.

Emma Wilson, Wildlife for All project officer said: "There's so much wildlife for Londoners to enjoy just outside their front doors. We'll be helping them to enjoy it to the full by enrolling them in Hogweed's School of Wildlife Wizardry as well as sending them orienteering and organizing some more usual walks and talks. All the family can get involved and most of the events will be completely free!

"Even at the launch we'll have our guests making their own "Right Royal Beasties" and having a tour round our "Wild Circuit"!"

Chief Executives William Weston (The Royal Parks) and Graham Wynne (RSPB) are both hugely supportive of the project and they will be at the launch in Regent's Park helping to get the project off to a good start. Other guests will include representatives from across London including the GLA, various London Boroughs, Charities and a range of other supporters.

William Weston said: "The Royal Parks cut a green swathe across London and support an extraordinary wealth of wildlife right in the heart of our city. The Wildlife for All partnership now means that there are excellent opportunities for everyone, regardless of circumstance, to get involved with nature."

Graham Wynne added: "London is one of the world's great cities and, perhaps surprisingly, one of the greenest. Wildlife for All will give people the opportunity to really appreciate the wildlife on their doorstep - and begin to realise why it's so important to the future success of the capital."

Access for all, regardless of circumstance, is a key aim of the project and Wildlife for All has found a keen supporter and partner in the Black Environment Network (BEN). Judy Ling Wong, UK Director of BEN said: "Access to and involvement with nature is an essential part of improving everyone's quality of life, and 'Wildlife for All' is aiming to engage with a sector of London's community who have yet to be offered that opportunity."

If you would like to know more about 'Wildlife for All' and the opportunities it can provide in your local Royal Park, please contact the team on 020 7935 7430 or e-mail wildlifeforall@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk

Photograph opportunities

There will be two costumed attendees - a bumblebee and a ladybird - circulating amongst the guests at lunchtime (1.30pm - 2.30pm).

Activities take part between 12.30-1.30pm.

Source:
Joint

Contact:
Emma Wilson, Tel. +44 (0)20 7935 7430 Mobile: +44 (0)7970 406 637

Editor's notes:
Wildlife for All is a three-year partnership project between The Royal Parks and RSPB funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Its aims are to bring a wide variety of people and communities across London closer to their local wildlife in the eight Royal Parks through an exciting and innovative activities programme, which includes wildlife watch points, an education programme and mobile information unit.

The Royal Parks are visited by millions of Londoners and tourists every year, totally free of charge. The 5,000 acres of carefully conserved historic parkland provide unparalleled opportunities for enjoyment, exploration and healthy living in the heart of the capital. The eight Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent's Park (with Primrose Hill), Richmond Park and St James's Park.

The RSPB exists to conserve wild birds and the environment. Its work is driven by a passionate belief that:
* Bird and wildlife enrich peoples' lives;
* The health of bird populations is indicative of the health of the planet, on which the human race depends;
* Conservation of biodiversity is a moral imperative.

The RSPB is the are the largest wildlife conservation charity in Europe, with over one million members, and depends on the support and generosity of other to make a difference.