Sydenham Hill Wood, Southwark – Access Improvements and Habitat Restoration

Hedgehogs, a BAP species, are declining, with the population 70% of its level a decade ago, disappearing from some areas of London altogether. This is due to habitat loss, fewer invertebrates and overly tidy green spaces. Sydenham Hill Wood, a fragment of the ancient Great North Wood, is one of our most popular nature reserves, a mix of ancient and more recent woodland in south London, home to hedgehogs and visited by over 100,000 people every year. The wood’s popularity can cause problems for its wildlife. We will improve paths and install fencing to prevent soil from being eroded and ground flora trampled, allowing woodland to regenerate naturally. This will provide refuge from human disturbance for sensitive species such as hedgehogs. We will control invasive species. This will be accompanied by interpretation about the reserve to promote public access. As well as improving conditions for hedgehogs, the project will improve the health of the woodland, a BAP habitat, as a whole.