Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has launched a new multi-million-pound fund to help restore wildlife sites and create more natural habitats for plants and animals across the capital.

There are 1,600 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) in London, covering 20% of the capital. However, only around half of these sites are being managed to conserve or enhance their wildlife.

The £600,000 Rewild London Fund, which will be delivered with expert advice from London Wildlife Trust, will support 20-30 of these sites and will help ensure the city’s wildlife can thrive.

‘The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. In London, we need to take bold action to ensure that we not only halt the decline of biodiversity in our natural environment but pave the way for growth and change,’ said Mayor Khan.

‘That’s why I’ve announced my new Rewilding Fund, which will help restore the capital’s precious wildlife sites, improve biodiversity and ensure all Londoners have a thriving web of nature on their doorstep.’

The mayor has also announced a further £300,000 of funding for 40 Keeping it Wild traineeships for young people aged 16-25. The traineeships, delivered with the London Wildlife Trust, will support young Black, Asian and minority ethnic Londoners, as well as young disabled Londoners and those from areas of economic deprivation, to develop vital green skills and help to remove barriers to entering the sector.

Director of Learning, Youth & Communities at London Wildlife Trust, Leah McNally, commented: ‘We are absolutely delighted that the mayor of London will be supporting London Wildlife Trust’s hugely successful Keeping it Wild traineeship programme for young people aged 16-25.

‘Paid opportunities like these are a fantastic springboard into a career in nature conservation and are vitally important in supporting under-represented young people who face barriers to accessing jobs within the green economy.

‘We are really excited to also be supporting the mayor of London’s Rewilding Fund which will have a positive impact on improving Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) in London, for both people and the wonderful wildlife that we share our great city with.’