Trust for Urban Ecology
Encyclopedia
The Trust for Urban Ecology (TRUE) is a London based ecological
organisation and is part of BTCV
(formerly British Trust for Conservation Volunteers). The Trust for Urban Ecology was founded in 1976 when ecologist Max Nicholson and a group of like-minded conservationists set up Britain's first urban ecology
park.
.
The trust's first site, the William Curtis Ecological Park
, was created on the site of a derelict lorry park near London's Tower Bridge. The William Curtis Ecological Park was always intended to be temporary and in 1985 the land was returned to its owners. By this time the trust had already created two new nature parks and it would later acquire another two.
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
organisation and is part of BTCV
BTCV
BTCV is a British charitable organisation that works to facilitate environmental conservation through practical tasks undertaken by volunteers...
(formerly British Trust for Conservation Volunteers). The Trust for Urban Ecology was founded in 1976 when ecologist Max Nicholson and a group of like-minded conservationists set up Britain's first urban ecology
Urban ecology
Urban ecology is a subfield of ecology which deals with the interaction between organisms in an urban or urbanized community, and their interaction with that community. Urban ecologists study the trees, rivers, wildlife and open spaces found in cities to understand the extent of those resources and...
park.
History
Max Nicholson, the trust's founder, was also instrumental in setting up the World Wildlife Fund and became the 2nd Director General of the Nature Conservancy CouncilNature Conservancy Council
The Nature Conservancy Council was a United Kingdom government agency responsible for designating and managing National Nature Reserves and other nature conservation areas in Great Britain between 1973 and 1991 ....
.
The trust's first site, the William Curtis Ecological Park
William Curtis Ecological Park
The William Curtis Ecological Park was the UK's Britain's first urban ecology park.Max Nicholson and the Trust for Urban Ecology created it on a derelict lorry park near Tower Bridge in London in 1976...
, was created on the site of a derelict lorry park near London's Tower Bridge. The William Curtis Ecological Park was always intended to be temporary and in 1985 the land was returned to its owners. By this time the trust had already created two new nature parks and it would later acquire another two.
Current Sites
- Stave Hill Ecological Park
- Lavender Pond
- Greenwich Peninsula Ecology ParkGreenwich Peninsula Ecology ParkThe Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park is park situated along the River Thames in the Greenwich Peninsula in South London. The park reflects the nature of the original marshland on the peninsula. The park provides a haven for many different species of bird, plants and bugs and acts as an important...
- Dulwich Upper WoodDulwich WoodDulwich Wood together with the adjacent Sydenham Hill Wood is the largest extant part of the ancient Great North Wood. The two woods were separated after the relocation of The Crystal Palace in 1854 and the creation of the high level line in 1865...
Aims
- To provide a new habitat for urban wildlife
- To enable ecologists to discover more about the nature of urban ecology
- To offer city residents the chance to enjoy nature and learn through hands-on experience
- To demonstrate the value of creative conservation - an ecological approach to the creation of new landscapes
- To provide examples of best practice and key demonstration sites
Other activities
- The trust offer environmental design, creation and management services
- Volunteer and work placement schemes
- Environment skills training
- Corporate team-building projects