Letting the light in: surveys, reports and supporting research

‘Letting the light in’ is an ambitious, large-scale project, whose long-term ecological benefits – improved habitats for wildlife, healthier trees and a boost in the number of native species supported by the Chiswick House woodland areas – will unfold across the next five years and beyond.

Because of the scale of the project, we’ve been diligent about backing up our plans with expert advice and research, and have commissioned a number of conservation experts to carry out tree, ecological and wildlife surveys ahead of beginning work.

You can download these reports to read below. If you have concerns about an area of the project that you feel isn’t covered here, please do contact us via info@chiswickhouse.co.uk and title your email ‘Letting the light in’.

Chiswick House and Gardens: Woodland Ecological Condition Assessment | The Environment Partnership, July 2024

  • The Environment Partnership (TEP) was commissioned by Chiswick House & Gardens Trust (CHGT) in May 2024 to help define an appropriate programme of woodland improvement works funded by the Rewild London initiative. The aims of the initiative are to help improve woodland condition and resilience to the effects of climate change, through increased species diversification; management of invasive species; improvement of woodland structure; and the creation of woodland fringe habitats that favour greater overall ecological diversity.
  • This report presents the results of an assessment of a Woodland Condition Assessment based on a method developed for use by the National Forest Inventory to classify woodland stands into ‘good’, ‘moderate’ or ‘poor’ ecological condition. It also consolidates the results of other surveys and assessments into targeted management actions designed to improve low scoring aspects of the woodlands.
  • Download and read the full report.

Chiswick House and Gardens: Baseline invertebrate survey of the Northern and Western Wilderness areas | Colin Plant Associates (UK); September 2024

  • On 21st June 2024 Colin Pl,ant Associates (UK) was commissioned by Rosie Fyles, Head Gardener at
    Chiswick House & Gardens to undertake a programme of terrestrial invertebrate survey work at
    Chiswick House & Gardens, London
  • The purposes of the survey were to provide a baseline species inventory which will evaluate the current importance of the site for invertebrates and allow changes in the site’s value for invertebrates to be assessed in the future, inform our ongoing management of the site, particularly in relation to the ecological needs and management requirements of key species, and provide recommendations regarding planting and future habitat enhancement work.
  • Going forwards, the survey will inform the work being carried out for the LTLI project, as well as providing additional recommendations for habitat boosting strategies for key species like Stag Beetles.
  • Download and read the full report.

For the latest news, events and updates on this project, visit the LTLI homepage.