Habitat Action Plan
Tidal Thames

“The river and the air have grown cleaner whether we like it or not, and since there seems to be little we can do about it we had better settle for liking it” (Norman Shrapnel, 1977. A View of the Thames)

1.	Aims
•	To conserve and enhance the wildlife habitats, species diversity and local distinctiveness of the Tidal Thames.
•	To adopt a strategic approach to deliver biodiversity targets for the Tidal Thames as a whole.
•	To promote public awareness and appreciation of the Tidal Thames.

2.	Introduction
This document provides the London component of the wider Tidal Thames Habitat Action Plan to guide the work of the London Biodiversity Partnership. This plan covers the Tidal Thames between Hampton in the west and the confluence with the River Darent at Crayford in the east. The short stretch between Teddington Lock and Hampton is not actually tidal but is included in this plan to ensure the entire length of the Thames in London is considered. Both the London and wider Tidal Thames Habitat Action Plans have been produced by the Thames Estuary Partnership’s Biodiversity Action Group.
The Tidal Thames forms a partially enclosed area of water and tidal shore which receives saline water from the North Sea and fresh water from the River Thames together with its numerous tributaries and land run-off.
The Thames has been traditionally and fondly known as ‘London’s River’ or ‘Old Father Thames’, a landscape of inspiration central to the growth and well-being of the city. It cannot claim to be the longest, largest or most wildlife-rich river in the country, but it is the best known. People have lived along its banks for thousands of years, and it is where the city of London developed. Today, over a fifth of the country’s population live within a few miles of it, and each day many thousands pass over, along and under it. The Thames is a transport route, a drain, a view, a site for redevelopment and, ever increasingly, a playground, classroom and wildlife corridor. Its habitats and species form an integral part of London’s identity and development, contributing to cultural symbols and activities such as the view from Richmond Hill, paddling on the foreshore at Tower Beach, jellied eels and whitebait suppers.
The Tidal Thames of today is an example of a recovering ecosystem which is of great ecological importance not only to London, Kent and Essex but also to life in the North Sea and the upstream catchments of the upper Thames.
This London section of the wider Tidal Thames Habitat Action Plan covers the complex mosaic of habitats in the river Thames, together with its tributaries up to their tidal limits. It includes all habitats within the tidal transition, from open water to foreshore and the associated terrestrial habitats. However, the plan does not cover habitats that will be dealt with in other Action Plans, such as adjacent areas of open water, coastal grazing marsh, reedbed or wasteland. Nonetheless it acknowledges the importance of these habitats to species which utilise the main river, for example as high tide roost sites or nesting habitat for birds.

3.	Current Status 
The Tidal Thames is part of the Greater Thames complex, which is one of the most important areas for wildfowl and wading birds within the UK. The Greater Thames Estuary comprises the rivers Thames, Medway, Crouch, Roach, Blackwater and Colne.
It is London’s largest continuous wildlife corridor, supporting species and habitats not found elsewhere in the capital. It is a ‘wildlife superhighway’, a vital link and migration route for many species. Some like dace migrate very short distances from fresh to brackish water. Others, for example, eels, over-wintering wildfowl and waders, and summer visiting house martin and common tern, migrate hundreds or thousands of miles.
The Tidal Thames within Greater London is approximately 67 km in length, and forms part of one of the longest rivers in Britain. It supports a diverse mix of inter-connected habitats, which vary in relation to physical, chemical and biological factors as well as human impact. The key ‘semi-natural’ habitats in London are open water, intertidal mud, sand and shingle, and small areas of saltmarsh. A few reedbeds are scattered along the Thames and in its tidal creeks, and most of the Thames islands (Eyots or Aits) support secondary woodland. In addition, the flood defences and other structures along the river provide complementary habitats, as many have been colonised by estuarine and riverine flora and fauna. Pseudo-saltmarsh communities have become established on the sloping ‘rip-rap’ revetment along the Thames downstream of Tower Bridge, and fringes of freshwater aquatic plants can be found along sloping flood defences upstream of Putney Bridge. Even where vertical flood defence walls occur, a surprising variety of plant and invertebrate species have managed to eke out an existence, providing a food source for the wide variety of birds and fishes that occur throughout the river in London over different seasons and tidal cycles (see Table 1).
Since the 1960s there has been a general trend of recovery and improvement  within the Tidal Thames, as a result of improvements in water quality. Today, the Tidal Thames supports a diverse flora and rich populations of invertebrates, fish and aquatic birds. Since 1957, ever increasing numbers of fish have been recorded from the Thames and the London stretches provide an important area for adult and juvenile species supporting a commercial and recreational fishery. Smelt now spawn at Wandsworth and European sea bass fry penetrate as far upstream as Chelsea and large shoals of bream, perch and dace are targetted by recreational anglers.
The distribution of fish and other species varies in relation to life cycle requirements, as well as habitat availability, water quality and salinity gradient.  However, individual requirements and environmental conditions vary  and these may be long and short-term trends influenced by daily tidal cycle to the changing seasons.
The Tidal Thames in London can be divided into two zones – freshwater and brackish. The Map below highlights these zones, their relationship to the London Tidal Thames Habitat Action Plan and the adjacent marine zone to the east. Within these zones there are characteristic species and varying habitat compositions. However, it should be noted that the zones are inter-dependent and the divisions cannot be clearly demarcated.
3.1	Freshwater Zone
The Upper Tidal Thames above Lambeth can be categorised as the freshwater zone,  dominated by freshwater species and habitats that include gravel foreshore, islands (Aits and Eyots), marginal vegetation, inlets, back channels, vertical and hard flood defences, scrub and over-hanging trees.
The stretch between Hampton and Teddington is non-tidal, impounded by Teddington weir, and the stretch from Teddington down to Richmond is retained at half-tide conditions by Richmond Lock. For 11 months of the year the operation of Richmond lock provides limited exposure of foreshore although an annual draw down performed in November keeps gates open for a complete tidal cycle to facilitate sediment flushing from upstream sections. The  largest stretch of natural riverbank between Teddington and Dartford is  found  within the grounds of Syon Park located within the freshwater zone. The plant and animal species within this zone are a reflection of both the various habitats and the fresh water dominance. Freshwater shrimps and snails provide a valuable food source for freshwater fish such as dace and roach, and summer visitors such as flounder, smelt and goby. Overhanging vegetation, backwaters and islands provide nesting and roosting sites for kingfisher, great crested grebe, moorhen, coot, mallard and heron. During the winter this reach is important for tufted duck and teal.

Table 1: Key habitats of the Tidal Thames in London
Habitat Types	Site example	Description	
Artificial Structures	Concrete Barges, Rainham, LB of Havering	Redundant or low disturbance structures exposed at high tide, providing roost sites for wildfowl. Some also serve as nest sites for oystercatchers and gulls.	
Flood Embankments	Rainham, LB of Havering	Vegetated earth embankments, valuable for specialised plant and insect populations.	
Flood Walls	Strand-on-the-Green, LB of Hounslow	Vertical walls of timber, brick and concrete which can support a wide diversity of plants and invertebrates.	
Gravel Foreshore	Isleworth, LB of Hounslow	Intertidal substrate comprising gravel and sands.	
Islands	Chiswick Eyot, LB of Hounslow	Mid-channel islands, some densely vegetated with trees and scrub, others dominated by tall herbaceous vegetation. Most serve as roost sites and some of the wooded islands e.g. Isleworth Ait are important for nesting grey heron. Several islands also support rare molluscs.	
Mudflats	Barking Reach, LB of Barking & Dagenham	Intertidal substrate comprising mud and sands. Priority habitat under the UK BAP.	
Natural riverbank	Syon Park, LB of Hounslow	Inter-tidal and terrestrial habitat forming the transition between the river and land.	
Open Water	Royal Docks, LB of Newham	Adjacent areas of open water, valuable for high tide roosts, breeding sites (common tern) and refuges for fish fry.	
Reedbeds	Bow Creek, LB of Newham	Linear expanses of reed along the main river and within creeks.	
Saltmarsh	Rainham, LB of Havering	Transitional mud habitat in the mid to lower river, predominantly vegetated, ranging from inter-tidal to terrestrial communities. Priority habitat under the UK BAP.	
Sublittoral sands and gravels	Putney, LB of Wandsworth	Sands and gravels found below the lowest tides. Continuously submerged loose sediment. Habitat for invertebrates and spawning substrate for fish e.g. smelt. Priority habitat under the UK BAP.	
Tidal Creeks	Deptford Creek – LB of Lewisham/ Greenwich	Tidal areas at the mouths of tributary rivers acting as ‘mini-estuaries’ and providing off-line refuge for fish.	

3.2	Brackish Zone
The middle zone between Lambeth and the confluence with the River Darent is the more urban and industrial reach. This section of the Tidal Thames is placed under considerable stress both from the rise and fall of the tide and the changing composition of fresh and saltwater. The habitats within this reach include vertical and hard flood defence walls, creeks, docks, inlets, artificial structures (providing high tide roosts), marginal saltmarsh and grazing marsh. This zone is where the transition from freshwater to marine conditions occur and species using this reach must be able to withstand wide variations in salinity and as a result of the stressful environment, invertebrate diversity is low. From Greenwich downstream the intertidal foreshore is predominantly mud, and dominated by tubificid worms, the main food source for over wintering wildfowl and waders. Whilst diversity of species may be low those adapted to cope with brackish conditions can thrive and densities of worms can reach 19 million per square metre of mud.
4.	Specific Factors Affecting the Tidal Thames
4.1	Sea Level Rise
It has been estimated that sea level rise will result in a loss of 8,000 to 10,000 ha of foreshore and mudflat in England between 1993 and 2013. Saltmarsh areas and high tide roosts along the Tidal Thames are at risk due to rising tide levels and increased erosion. Opportunities for flood defence realignment are severely limited on the Tidal Thames in London although the Environment Agency’s Floodscapes project, part of Thames 2100, is modelling scenarios of managed flooding at sites along the Estuary that include Ham in London. The modelling includes detailed assessment of how these sites could be used to increase flood storage capacity within the Estuary.
4.2	Development and habitat loss
The Tidal Thames has a long history of development-led encroachment. During the Roman period the Thames at Westminster was three times as wide as it is now. Despite stronger planning legislation, foreshore habitat losses are still occurring as a result of riverside redevelopment. However, the regeneration of riverside sites can provide an opportunity to recreate habitat and a number of projects and initiatives that include Thames Strategy East and Green Grid seek to protect and enhance important Thameside sites.
4.3	Water quality
Water quality standards are achieved via a management agreement between Thames Water and the Environment Agency. However, London is still heavily dependent on its Victorian sewage network. During periods of heavy rain, combined sewer overflows (CSOs) discharge untreated sewage into the Tidal Thames. Under the worst conditions (low river flow and heavy rain) this can lead to severe reduction in oxygen levels and resultant fish kills within London stretches. In response to these events RWE Thames Water commissioned the construction of two vessels ‘Vitality’ and ‘Bubbler’ to inject oxygen into plugs of poor quality water to replace oxygen levels.
The Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) is a new piece of legislation that will establish a new integrated approach to the protection, improvement and sustainable use of Europe's rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters and groundwater. It sets out a detailed framework for the improved protection and management of water, from source to sea, and requires all inland and coastal waters to reach "good status" by 2015. The Environment Agency are the competent authority charged with implementation of the Directive in England and Wales.
4.4	Water quantity
During the summer months the Tidal Thames experiences low freshwater flows as a result of upstream abstraction. Saline tidal waters penetrate further upstream into the upper freshwater river, bringing with it marine animals but also estuarine silts. Silt deposited on areas of gravel foreshore can change the habitat and lead to a reduction in invertebrate diversity.

4.5	Hydrodynamic changes
Solid and non-solid encroachments have changed the physical hydrodynamic character of the Tidal Thames. Flow changes have resulted in accelerated patterns of erosion and deposition, leading to loss of inter-tidal vegetation, erosion of exposed peat deposits and siltation of gravel foreshores.
4.6	Recreation and river transport
The Thames in London was more heavily used for shipping and other transport in the past than it is today. However, following improvements in water quality there is now a trend towards increased use of the river for recreation, together with renewed interest in water-borne transport. Unless carefully managed, there is potential for an increase in activity to result in the increased disturbance of wildlife habitats, including nesting birds on Thames Islands and wooded margins, together with loss of riverside and inter-tidal vegetation.
4.7	Public Perception
The majority of Londoners are unaware of the wildlife value of the Tidal Thames. There is a misconception that due to its brown colour, the river is dirty and devoid of life. The Thames Explorer trust, Creekside Education Centre and Thames21 are just some of the organisations engaging with local schools and communities to reverse this negative attitude.
4.8	Barrages
Barrages and weir structures remove or limit the tidal range creating an impounded basin upstream of the structure for all or some of a tidal cycle. Barrages alter the ecology of the river, restricting species movement, destroying the low tide feeding habitat upstream of the structure, and increasing siltation. Tidal barrages/weirs have been constructed at Richmond (for navigation), and Barking and Wandle Creek (to promote regeneration).
4.9	Lack of scientific knowledge
Tidal rivers are complex ecosystems and are poorly researched and surveyed. The quantity and quality of habitat on the Tidal Thames is not well known. Species information is not comprehensive and often patchy in distribution, restricted in many cases to biological data collected for water quality analysis and Environmental Impact Assessments.
4.10	Problem Species
A number of invasive plants and animals, such as Japanese knotweed, floating pennywort and Chinese mitten crabs have become established on the Tidal Thames. Further research and management is required to determine the effect of these species on local biodiversity. 
4.11	Maintenance Dredging
Dredging involves the removal of deposits to maintain navigation access throughout the river. Removal and alteration of sands, gravels and mud can result in the loss of species, while the significant redistribution of sediment results in changes to flows in the river. A wider range of environmental issues have been identified by environmental and fisheries stakeholders through the Thames Estuary Partnership's Action Groups. The Port of London Authority have worked with the Thames Estuary Partnership's Dredging Liaison Group to develop a computer based Information Exchange System to inform the decision making process by indicating the potential for a significant effect on a particular resource.
5.	Current Action
5.1	Legal Status
The Tidal Thames and Creeks within London have been designated as a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation. This non-statutory designation, identified by the London Ecology Unit and adopted by the Mayor of London, signifies that every part of the river and its tidal tributaries are of major importance for nature conservation in the Capital. 
The Tidal Thames within London is not covered by any statutory nature conservation designation. However, there are a number of adjacent sites which are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or Local Nature Reserves (LNR).
Protected species associated with the Thames in London include the kingfisher and some bats, while the otter, sea lamprey and twaite shad are likely to become part of the London scene in the near future. Marine mammals such as the common seal, harbour porpoise and bottle nosed dolphin, occasionally stray into the London Tidal Thames and are protected to varying degrees.

Table 2: Statutory nature conservation designations along the Tidal Thames in London
Site	Description	Designation	
Ham Lands	Flood Meadow	LNR	
Syon Park	Tidal Flood Meadows	SSSI	
Duke’s Hollow	Hydrocere flora and wet woodland supporting rare molluscs	LNR	
Barn Elms	Former reservoirs, now wetland nature reserve	SSSI (under review)	
Chiswick Eyot	Island supporting osier and reedbed	LNR	
Lonsdale Road Reservoir	Former reservoir now nature reserve	LNR	
Crossness Nature Reserve	Grazing marsh and reedbed	LNR	
Inner Thames Marshes	Grazing marsh and reedbed	SSSI	
Crayford Marshes	Coastal Grazing Marsh	SSSI (p)	
Abbreviations: LNR – Local Nature Reserve; SSSI – Site of Special Scientific Interest; SSSI (p) - proposed Site of Special Scientific Interest

5.2	Mechanisms targeting the habitat
These current actions are ongoing. They need to be supported and continued in addition to the new action listed under Section 7.
5.2.1	Management advice, incentives and projects
No single organisation oversees the management and regulation of the Tidal Thames. The Thames Estuary Project was therefore formed in 1993 to provide a focus for the range of organisations, individuals and activities linked to the Tidal Thames. The primary outputs of the Project were the preparation of Management Guidance for the Thames Estuary and the creation of the Thames Estuary Partnership, which plays a key role in the co-ordination of the many uses, activities and interests of the Tidal Thames downstream of Tower Bridge. 
Management advice is available from a range of statutory organisations including the Environment Agency, English Nature, the Port of London Authority, Local Authorities, the Greater London Authority and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Voluntary and non-statutory organisations also provide a wealth of advice and undertake a number of management initiatives: these include London Wildlife Trust, Groundwork Trust, Thames 21, BTCV, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

6.	Flagship Species
These special plants and animals are characteristic of the Tidal Thames in London.
Common Tern	Sterna hirundo	Summer visitor to the Tidal Thames. Breeds on derelict structures and purpose built ‘tern-rafts’ on adjacent docks. Regularly seen fishing on the River, tributaries and dock basins.	
Grey Heron	Ardea cinerea	Found throughout most of the Tidal Thames, except generally in the central industrialised stretch, at all times of the year. Particularly associated with the upper freshwater river, islands and backwaters.	
Oystercatcher	Haematopus ostralegus	Characteristic of the middle and lower reaches of the Tidal Thames. Associated with mudflats, creeks and, at high water, derelict barges, jetties and other undisturbed roost sites.	
Teal	Anas crecca	Over-winters on the Tidal Thames, mainly associated with the lower river, mudflats and saltmarsh. However, it also occurs on some of the tidal inlets and can be found in the freshwater river as far upstream as Brentford. 	
Purple loosestrife	Lythrum salicaria	A wetland plant found along the riverside particularly in the upper freshwater river. Characteristic of sloping riverbanks. Can be found wherever there is suitable habitat.	
Hemlock water-dropwort	Oenanthe crocata	Large white-flowered umbellifer characteristic of Thames riverside, colonising cracks and crevices even in central London. Parsley-like leaves are highly toxic.	
Sea Aster	Aster tripolium	Characteristic plant of salt marshes and inter-tidal habitats. Found throughout the middle and lower reaches of the river wherever suitable habitat exists. Easily recognisable, with purple flower heads and green fleshy leaves.	
Two-lipped door snail	Laciniaria biplicata	Associated with riverbank habitats, in particular the upper inter-tidal area normally covered with debris and litter between neap and spring tides. This specialised habitat is normally found in the upper freshwater river on inlets, backwaters, islands and seasonally flooded riverside meadow and scrub.	
Flounder	Platichthys flesus	A sea fish which spends its juvenile months in the Tidal Thames. The river provides a nursery area for fish spawned in the southern North Sea. Warm shallow waters, backwaters, creeks and the foreshore provide fish fry with habitat and food during the spring and summer. Flounder are equally at home in the upper fresh water river during their juvenile years.	
Atlantic salmon	Salmo salar	The last known naturally spawned Thames salmon was caught in 1833. In 1979 the Thames Salmon Rehabilitation Scheme was established and Salmon were reintroduced to the Thames. A regular Salmon run has occurred since 1982 and in 1993 over 500 fish returned. Received additional protection under the EU’s Habitats Directive 1994.	
Smelt	Osmerus eperlanus	A cousin of the salmon which has a characteristic smell of cucumber. This small fish is a particularly good indicator of water quality, and is once again spawning amongst the gravels and shallow waters near Wandsworth.	

8.	Objectives, Actions and Targets
Objective 1	Ensure that strategic plans and initiatives recognise the biodiversity importance of the Tidal Thames
Target: Secure specific biodiversity commitments in key guidance
Action	Applies to reach	Target Date	Lead	Other Partners	
1.1 Establish the TEP Biodiversity Action Group to lead the implementation of the Tidal Thames Habitat Action Plan and scope all major developments and strategic initiatives including the Tideway Strategy, Planning for Flood Risk Management Project and Thames Landscape Strategy	ALL	Achieved
2002	TEP	EA, EN, GLA, LWT, RSPB, TET, WWT	
1.2 Maintain the TEP Biodiversity Action Group as the lead for implementation of the Tidal Thames Habitat Action Plan and to scope all major developments and strategic initiatives including the Thames Estuary 2100 Project, Flood Scapes,  and Thames Landscape Strategies. 	

ALL	

Ongoing	

TEP	

BAG	
1.3 Ensure that biodiversity is fully incorporated into the ‘Blue Ribbon’ concept in the London Plan and any associated Supplementary Planning Guidance	Freshwater Brackish	Achieved
2002	GLA	BAG	
1.4  Advocate London’s ‘Blue Ribbon’ concept beyond London to ensure that biodiversity is taken account of within the outer estuary	
Brackish	
2005	
TEP	
BAG	
1.5  Prepare and advocate good practice guidance to deliver the biodiversity objectives of the ‘Blue Ribbon’ concept	
Freshwater Brackish	
2005	
GLA	
BAG, Las	
1.6 Incorporate biodiversity objectives within the regeneration of the Thames Gateway through the Thames Gateway Strategic Executive and the Thames Gateway London Partnership 	Freshwater Brackish	Achieved
2003	TEP	BAG, GLA, TGSE, TGLP, TGK, TGE	
1.7 Ensure ecologically sensitive sites are communicated to local authorities and other relevant bodies to minimise environmental impacts, by developing annotated maps of sensitive locations	Freshwater Brackish	2006	TEP	BAG, PLA	

1.8 Identify specific biodiversity projects within the framework established by East London Green Grid	
Freshwater Brackish	
2006	
TEP	
BAG, GLA, TGSE, TGSEP TGLP, TGK, 	

1.9 Ensure biodiversity priorities and opportunities for ecological gain are included within ‘Thames Strategy East (TSE)’ a document that will enable a coherent and consistent approach to planning within Thames Gateway, following the principles of sustainable development	 

Brackish	

2005	

TEP	

BAG, P&EAG TGLP	
1.10 Incorporate biodiversity objectives within existing river recreation guidance and strategies	Freshwater Brackish	Achieved2003	TEP	BAG, RAAG	
1.11 Incorporate biodiversity objectives (including opportunities for interpretation) in City to Sea (Thames Path) strategy	Brackish	2005	TEP	BAG, RAAG	
Launch TSE and promote key biodiversity projects and opportunities identified within this document	Brackish	2005	TEP
	BAG, TGLP, EN, TEP, P&EAG	

Objective 2	To secure appropriate management for existing and new habitats and species
	Target: Produce and advocate guidance and management to key stakeholders
Action	Applies to reach	Target Date	Lead	Other Partners	
2.1 Identify habitats (e.g. river walls, structures), and locations (e.g. buildings/paths/river interface) where management guidelines are lacking and produce and advocate good practice guidelines	Freshwater Brackish	2004/5	TEP	BAG, site managers, land owners	
2.2 Develop guidance on response to applications for removal of riverine structures to minimise impact on river.	Freshwater
Brackish	2005/6	BAG		
2.3 Develop and implement an environmentally responsible approach to maintenance dredging	Brackish	Achieved 2003	TEP	DLG	
2.4 Review annual draw-down at Richmond Lock to identify ecological impact	Freshwater	2005	PLA	BAG	
2.5 Develop GIS maps that identify environmentally sensitive areas for inclusion within Port of London Oil Spill Contingency Plan.	Freshwater
Brackish	2005/6	PLA	TEP, BAG, FAG	

Objective 3	To create new areas of riverine habitat
	Target: Create five new areas of habitat in London by 2005
Action	Applies to reach	Target Date	Lead	Other Partners	
3.1 Identify sites for habitat creation and disseminate information to local and statutory planning authorities	Freshwater Brackish	2004/5	EA	BAG	
3.2 Identify and promote opportunities for new environmental approaches to flood defence design through Environment Agency’ Floodscapes Project.	Freshwater Brackish	2005/6	EA	BAG	

Objective 4	Increase scientific knowledge and understanding of estuarine habitats and species
	Target: Review existing knowledge and establish a research work programme  to inform State of the Estuary Report
Action	Applies to reach	Target Date	Lead	Other Partners	
4.1 Establish a biodiversity research programme through the Thames Estuary Research Forum and other research organisations	Freshwater Brackish	Ongoing	TEP	BAG, TERF	
4.2 Collate existing information and fill gaps as required to establish a baseline audit to inform TE2100 project	Freshwater Brackish	2005	EA	BAG	
4.3 Disseminate existing research and highlight gaps in knowledge	Freshwater Brackish	Achieved 2003
Ongoing	TEP	EN, ITMRG, EA, LNHS, WT GLA	
4.4 Collate biodiversity information to inform first stage of State of the Estuary Report	Freshwater Brackish	2005/6	TEP	BAG	
4.5 Review existing biodiversity information and produce provisional State of the Estuary Action Plan	Freshwater Brackish	2006/7	TEP	BAG	
4.6 Produce final State of the Estuary Report	Freshwater Brackish	2007/8	TEP	BAG	

Objective 5	Increase public understanding and appreciation of the habitats and species of the Tidal Thames
	Target: Implement the Thames Estuary Partnership Education and Awareness Action Plan biodiversity projects 
Action	Applies to reach	Target Date	Lead	Other Partners	
5.1 Provide a biodiversity training session to advise the members of the TEP Education & Awareness Action Group and Thames Education Network	Freshwater Brackish	Ongoing	TEP	BAG, EAAG, TET	
5.2 Develop and deliver the “River for Life” project	Freshwater Brackish	Ongoing	TET	T21, EA, EAAG	
5.3 Disseminate literature highlighting the wildlife value of the Tidal Thames to specific user groups	Freshwater Brackish	Ongoing	TEP	TET, TEN, T21	
5.4 Establish a “Thames Tank” at the London Aquarium and/or London Zoo	Freshwater Brackish	Achieved
2003	TEP	LAq, London Zoo, EA	
5.5 Establish Thames biodiversity interpretation at the proposed Silver Town  Aquarium 	Freshwater Brackish	2006/7	
ZSL
	, EA, FAG	
5.6 Include biodiversity issues within the Mayor’s Thames Festival	Freshwater Brackish	Ongoing
	GLA	EA, TEP, EN, TET, T21,	
5.7 Co-ordinate foreshore events within each reach of the Tidal Thames to promote public appreciation of the Tidal Thames wildlife	Freshwater Brackish	Ongoing	TEP/T21/TET	EA, PLA, TEN	
5.8 Include biodiversity in the training programmes of Thames 21 and Thames Explorer Trust	Freshwater Brackish	Ongoing	T21/ TET	BAG, EA	
5.9 Identify further opportunities for promoting public understanding and appreciation through education initiatives	Freshwater Brackish	Ongoing
	TEP, EAAG	TEN	

Relevant Action Plans
London Plans
Wasteland; Canals; Grazing Marsh and Floodplain Grassland; Reedbed; Grey Heron; Black Redstart; Water Vole; Sand Martin and Bats.
Essex Plans
Coastal Grazing Marsh; Eel Grass Beds; Reedbeds; Saline Lagoons; Harbour Porpoise; Allis and Twaite Shad.
Kent Plans
coastal and floodplain grazing marsh; Reedbeds; Saline Lagoons; ; Coastal saltmarsh; coastal sand dunes; Coastal vegetated shingle; Mudflats; Littoral and sublittoral chalk; Maritime cliffs and slopes; Marine HAP; Sabellaria alveolata reefs; Sabellaria spinulosa reefs; Seagrass beds; Allis and Twaite Shad.
Regional Plans
SE Marine BAP.

National Plans
Coastal Vegetated Shingle; Coastal Saltmarsh; Mudflats; Sabellaria spinulosa Reefs; Sea Grass Beds; Saline Lagoons; Sub-littoral Sands and Gravel; Twaite Shad; Salmon.

Abbreviations
BAG – Biodiversity Action Group (TEP)
DLG – Dredging Liaison Group (TEP)
EA – Environment Agency
EAAG – Education and Awareness Action Group (TEP)
EN – English Nature
ITMRG – Inner Thames Marshes Research Group
GLA – Greater London Authority
LAs – Local Authorities
LAq – London Aquarium
LNHS – London Natural History Society
LWT – London Wildlife Trust
PLA – Port of London Authority	RAAG – Recreation & Access Action Group (TEP)
RSPB – Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
T21 – Thames 21
TEN – Thames Education Network
TEP – Thames Estuary Partnership
TERF – Thames Estuary Research Forum
TET – Thames Explorer Trust
TGK – Thames Gateway Kent
TGLP – Thames Gateway London Partnership
TGSE – Thames Gateway Strategic Executive
TGSEP – Thames Gateway South Essex Partnership
TLS – Thames Landscape Strategy
TW – Thames Water
WT – Wildlife Trusts
WWT – Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust	

Contact
The Lead for this habitat is the Thames Estuary Partnership
Jonathan Ducker
Thames Estuary Partnership
University College London
Department of Geography
Remax House
31/ 32 Alfred Place
London WC1E 7DP	Tel 0207 679 5294
Fax 0207 916 8546
j.ducker@thamesweb.com
web www.thamesweb.com