WildChiswick in collaboration with Greenspace Information for Greater London (GiGl) are encouraging Chiswick residents to record species because wildlife conservation relies on data. Without knowing which species are around us, we cannot effectively protect or enhance their habitats. Enter what you see on the form below. A photo is also very handy so we can verify your sighting.
Long term, data are important for understanding Chiswick’s environment and measuring its health. We can assess if local species populations are declining, increasing or remain stable. This can help identify actions to help and where data may be lacking. It is just as important to know what species we do NOT have locally as we may be able to create habitat for them.
Recording data and ensuring records are shared locally and beyond is important to ensure species are considered by ecologists, planners and developers when building applications are submitted. Hounslow Council use information from GiGL to help make decisions on development, nature recovery and conservation. The more species shared with GiGL, the more likely species are to be acknowledged, and habitats protected.
GiGL are the local environmental records centre for London. GiGL curate, mobilise and share data about London’s natural environment. Sharing data with GiGL ensures the best available evidence can be used by planners, ecologists, conservationists, researchers and more, to help understand, improve and protect London’s nature. Get in touch with Victoria Kleanthous at GiGL if you would like to know more about the data GiGL hold for your local area from species to habitats to protected sites and open spaces. https://gigl.org.uk/contact/
GiGL data sharing policy. Submitted records are entered into the GiGL database and shared with GiGL partners and Community Network Members. Only patrons who have signed a data use licence can access raw data and where a data use licence has not been signed, only data summaries can be accessed. Your personal details will be shared with GiGL verifiers should they need to check the veracity of your record. Otherwise, personal details will never by shared by GiGL. Species data (accompanied by your name but no other personal details) will also be uploaded to the National Biodiversity Network Atlas at 10km resolution.
Read more at the GiGL website https://www.gigl.org.uk/privacy-statement/