INFORM
The Urban Nature Project NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, LONDON, UK THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM IS REDEVELOPING FIVE ACRES OF GARDENS TO NOT ONLY TO IMPROVE ITS BIODIVERSITY BUT TO ALSO CREATE AN URBAN NATURE MOVEMENT
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n the heart of London, The Natural History Museum is creating a biodiversity hub. Already, in just a small part of the five-acre gardens, examples of woodland, grassland, scrub, heath, fen, aquatic, reedbed, hedgerow and urban UK habitat can all be found. In fact, around 3,400 species have been recorded over the years, some for the first time. Throughout the redevelopment of
5 ACRES REACH
6,000 A YEAR
THE URBAN NATURE PROJECT OPENS THE DOOR FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THE NATURE ON THEIR DOORSTEPS
FROM
EXPAND
3,400 SPECIES
DARWIN CENTRE
DARWIN CENTRE
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QUEEN'S GATE
QUEEN'S GATE
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5
PALAEO BUILDING
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WATERHOUSE BUILDING
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MAIN ENTRANCE
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2023
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DARWIN CENTRE
CROMWELL ROAD
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QUEEN'S GATE
WATERHOUSE BUILDING
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5
PRESENT & FUTURE
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PALAEO BUILDING
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EXHIBITION ROAD
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these gardens for the Urban Nature Project, scientists will be working carefully to ensure this current biodiversity is protected and enhanced. The new gardens will be fully accessible, allowing everyone to take a journey through the changing world and the diversity of life on Earth. The East Gardens will tell the story of the Earth’s history, with plants and fossils reflecting each geographical era giving visitors a chance to 7
learn about the profound impact humans forward evidence-based nature conservation, have caused in such a short time. At its pilot a range of innovative, cost effective center, a cast of Dippy—the Natural History technologies and continue to research Museum’s iconic diplodocus—will and tackle some key challenges. overlook the gardens. With the natural world under The West Gardens will be a model threat like never before, this project for urban nature, showcasing the is not only responding to the urgent abundance of biodiversity which can need to both monitor and record be found in the UK’s habitats. This changes to the UK’s urban nature space will feature an outdoor learning STUDENTS but to a desperate need to reengage center which will be a platform for the people with the natural world. museum’s national program. Finally, A powerful quote from Sir David the South Kensington gardens will Attenborough will be featured in host a living lab. Here, scientists, bronze lettering, encapsulating the CURRENT essence of this project: “The future visitors and volunteers can study VOLUNTEERS the changes in urban nature and 30 TO 100 of the natural world, on which we all witness an exemplar for sustainable depend, is in your hands.” urban nature. Sir David Attenborough has also “Working in close collaboration commented on the project: “The with Landscape Architects J & L Urban Nature Project opens the door RECORDED IN THE Gibbons, we have enjoyed the for young people to fall in love with the EXISTING nature on their doorsteps and develop challenge of bringing to life a walk through over 500 million years of the a lifelong concern for the world’s wild Earth’s history,” director of Feilden places. Nature isn’t just nice to have, DELIVER ONE NEW TRAINEESHIP Fowles, Edmund Fowles tells us. “From it’s the linchpin of our very existence AND TWO NEW the pre-Cambrian era to the present and ventures like the Urban Nature APPRENTICESHIPS day, translating vital messages about Project help the next generation COMPLETION IN human’s impact on nature and the develop the strong connection with role we all have to play in revitalizing nature that is needed to protect it.” urban biodiversity today.” Focusing on engaging diverse A huge part of the Urban Nature audiences who are least likely or Project will be about continuing the scientific able to access nature, volunteer opportunities work the museum is already undertaking. The will be increased threefold via an outreach project aims to develop the scientific tools to program to neighboring and diverse monitor and protect boroughs. There will also be online, urban nature, drive onsite and national monitoring programs including an onsite education center, a range of citizen science programs and a scientific living lab where the museum’s existing scientific work will continue. 1
CROMWELL ROAD
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WATERHOUSE BUILDING
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1. East Gardens
1. East Gardens
5. Wildlife Garden
2. Garden Cafe Building
2. Garden Cafe Building
6. Learning and Activity Centre 6. Learning and Activity Centre
3. Central Courtyard
3. Central Courtyard
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4. West Lawn
5. Wildlife Garden MAIN ENTRANCE
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Pro Landscaper USA South March/April 2021 5. Wildlife Garden
2. Garden Cafe Building
6. Learning and Activity Centre
3. Central Courtyard
7. DC Courtyard
4. West Lawn
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