A fox makes itself at home in our garden.
We're working to give people across the UK the motivation and tools to safeguard nature in towns and cities.
The five-acre site in South Kensington is being transformed into a welcoming, accessible and biologically diverse green space in the heart of London.
Our gardens will be a place for people to learn about the diversity of life on Earth and how our planet is changing over time. They will also showcase our scientific research.
The Museum's gardens will be opening in summer 2024
See what's happening in the gardens. Contact the site team.
Our plans for the gardens
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NewsSir David Attenborough unveils quote at the Museum
The quote will form part of the newly developed gardens at the Museum.
29 June 2023 -
NewsWork begins on the Museum's landmark garden redevelopment
The works are part of the wider Urban Nature Project.
8 September 2022 -
Our plans for the gardens
Read more about the developing plans for the Museum's grounds.
6 April 2020 -
A history of the Museum grounds and Wildlife Garden
Take a stroll through the gardens of the past.
A living laboratory
The Urban Nature Project is developing new scientific tools and skills urgently needed to monitor, understand and protect urban nature.
Our gardens are a hub for urban nature identification and field survey skills. We're piloting a range of technologies for monitoring change in urban environments, including eDNA and acoustic monitoring, where an array of recorders will listen to the gardens, pond, soil and even inside the trees.
We're also developing a new public-facing biodiversity and environmental monitoring data ecosystem to help capture, share and interpret urban nature data.
Make your mark
This momentous project will not be possible without your help.
Right now, you have the opportunity to make your mark in the Museum gardens like never before. From sponsoring a square metre of garden to dedicating a bench to a loved one, a donation to the Urban Nature Project is the perfect way to be a part of this historic project.
Our science
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British wildlifeWhy we should rewild ourselves and the places we live
When we live alongside nature, we end up happier and healthier. We might even end up rewilding ourselves.
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Science newsNoisy neighbours: Listening in to nature in cities and towns
Urban soundtracks allow us to listen in to wildlife, from calling birds and shouting foxes to chirping insects and quiet worms.
12 May 2023 -
British wildlifeTwenty-five years of wildlife discoveries in the Museum garden
Wildlife Garden ecologist Sylvia Myers introduces some of our favourite finds and how we monitor the plants and animals present.
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British wildlifeWhat happens to frogs and dragonflies when their pond disappears?
Natural ponds come and go. They fill up when it's wet and empty when it's dry. Pond wildlife has learnt to live in these changeable worlds in remarkable ways.
Find urban nature education resources
Our Explore: Urban Nature programme provides training for teachers, curriculum-linked learning resources and hands-on outdoor workshops.
Students can also get involved in a community science project, Nature Overheard, a project created allongside students and developed with their ideas and questions.
In partnership with the Prince’s Trust, we have created a Youth Worker Toolkit to support informal ways of learning. It equips youth workers with activities and conversation starters they can use with young people to open the door to nature around them.
We have facillitated a Youth Advisory Panel to give young people a voice. So far, we have heard from 24 young people and supported their personal development and skills.
Get involved in our projects
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Nature Overheard: Tune in to Your Streets
Join our mass community science project investigating the impact of noise pollution on insects near roads.
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Youth Worker Toolkit
This free downloadable toolkit lists activities and ideas that you can use with young people to explore nature in cities.
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Explore: Urban Nature
UK schools programme for KS2 and KS3 (ages 9-14), examining the importance of nature in our towns and cities. With teaching resources, regional workshops and teacher CPD.
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The unequal barriers in making nature accessible to all: A Youth Advisory Panel report
A Youth Advisory Panel has discussed access to the natural world with Museum staff.
Working together to explore and make space for urban nature
Working with local groups, we are co-creating activities and resources for family learning in our new gardens. These resources include what plants and animals you can find in London, self-guided experiences in the gardens and nature-friendly crafts and activities.
We are also developing a new volunteer programme and summer programme for school leavers.
School groups will also be able to explore the gardens and take part in a programme that focuses on building a connection with nature, valuing biodiversity and what actions they can do to help nature.
We are working with London’s Grow to Know as they help local residents to plant and maintain their own prairie garden and find out more about the species living near them. Museum scientists have found 58 tiny animal species living in the Prairie Garden space on Lancaster West Estate.
Does nature live in your neighbourhood?
Find out how to monitor and identify wildlife living in urban areas. You’ll be contributing to scientific research and helping to boost biodiversity in cities and towns.
Make space for nature
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British wildlifeThe best small trees, climbers and shrubs to plant for wildlife
Planting a diversity of shrubs, climbers and small trees can help boost biodiversity. October to April is prime planting time, so have your spade at the ready.
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British wildlifeSeven simple ways to create a wildlife-friendly garden
Find out how to help urban nature and attract more wildlife to your garden.
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British wildlifeHow to make a log pile to provide shelter for garden wildlife
A log pile can give home and shelter to some of the smaller inhabitants of your garden.
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British wildlifeHow to attract butterflies to your garden
Filling your garden with insects will make your flowerbeds beautiful and support biodiversity. Ecologist Larissa Cooper explains how.
Funding
We thank all those who have generously contributed to the Urban Nature Project, including:
