Sustainability in Croydon

Tree planting

We are committed to planting 3,500 trees by 2022. These will reduce air pollution and make Croydon a more beautiful place. Find out more about tree planting.

Green spaces and biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms that make up our natural habitat. All of these species and organisms work together to maintain balance and support life. 

Globally and locally, humans are putting pressure on the biodiversity around us and we are consuming more resources than ever before and we are impacting the balance of ecosystems and losing biodiversity. Hence why it is important to protect the biodiversity around us to benefit us all.

What can I do to help

Gardens can help provide the natural habitats for animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms. By making your garden a friendly place for wildlife you can help to prevent species going locally extinct.

Rain gardens can also help nature by supporting drainage and biodiversity and have several purposes. They can reduce runoff, they offer food and shelter for wildlife, they can remove pollutants and help to enhance the landscape.

Rain gardens are shallow hollows that collect rainwater. They are generally located on the downside of a slope on your property and collect rainwater runoff from the lawn or roof. In the design of a rain garden, water is allowed to drain away into the soil. Usually, 6 to 12 inches of soil is removed and altered with compost and other organic matter to increase the soil’s infiltration capacity. Once water collects in the rain garden, infiltration may take up to 48 hours after a major rainfall

A rain garden is usually 3 meters away from your home’s foundation. Native plants should be used as these do not require fertilizer, attract local wildlife, have good root systems and are better at utilising the water and nutrients available in their native soils than non-native species. Arrange your plants in your rain garden and add mulch to help reduce weeds. Regular weeding and occasional mulching will ensure that your rain garden thrives. Maintenance after the first year is then often minimal.

Please see our nature and open spaces pages for further information on biodiversity.  We protect green spaces and        biodiversity in our planning process. 

Find out more in our Habitat Action Plan.