Woodlands are one of the UK’s richest wildlife habitats. Woodlands are important for most forms of wildlife, including trees, shrubs, fungi, lichens, mammals, birds and invertebrates. They contain large numbers of species as well as provide important habitat for rare and threatened native species.

The woodlands within RBWM include both areas of ancient woodlands such as Windsor Forest and Great Park and Bisham woods and newly planted woodland areas such as those at Ockwells Park. The multi-functional value of woodlands is well understood and they provide both direct value such as timber production and recreation but also indirect value such as flood management, reduction in air pollution, health benefits, climate change mitigation and urban cooling.

Grasslands cover a large area of the UK and although they are dominated by grass cover, they can also contain lots of other plants species. Grasslands provide vital habitats to a range of native species including invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians and small mammals some of which are rare and threatened species within the UK. Not only do grasslands provide habitat for wildlife, but provide opportunities for education and recreation, involving the local communities in projects and provide enormous potential for locking up carbon through the plants associated within grassland habitats and also the fungi and bacteria associated within the soil.

Waterways are dynamic and varied habitats and are for invaluable wildlife habitats in the Borough.

The River Thames is one of the country’s largest and most important rivers although there are several other waterways including Local Wildlife sites (LWS) such as the Greenway LWS and York Stream LWS which run not only through rural areas but also very built up areas including the centre of Maidenhead. Waterways, either in their own right or in association with other habitats, are a vital nature conservation and wildlife resource for the borough. Marginal and bankside vegetation is also an integral part of the river habitat and acts as an important migration corridor

A significant proportion of our rivers, streams and other water courses are under threat. Protecting and improving our watercourses is an important part of achieving sustainable development and is vital for the long term health and well being of the residents within the borough. 

Waterways can not only provide economic importance through food and drinking resources, tourism and recreational opportunities, but can provide important wildlife habitats and provide important wildlife routes and stepping stones for a number of species within the borough as well as significant potential for carbon sequestration.

The standing water action plan relates to still or very slow flowing open water habitats including ponds, lakes and seasonal flushes. Within the borough there are oligotrophic (nutrient poor) mesotrophic (moderately nutrient rich) and eutrophic (nutrient rich) areas of standing water. Both eutrophic and mesotrophic waters can be very diverse, each with its own range of common and less common species. Standing water areas also have immense value for communities providing access to water for recreational, educational and nature conservation activities. The ponds and lakes within the borough are used for fishing, boating, socialising, education and nature conservation.

The HAP will help to maintain the current range, extent and diversity of wildlife rich ponds and lakes throughout the area and encourage the sympathetic management of them and their adjacent habitat. In addition, it will seek to provide additional ecologically beneficial standing water within the borough through the creation of new wetland areas.

Urban Habitat Action Plan

Urban areas are found across the UK and are expanding due to the increased pressure for housing numbers. The Urban Habitat Action Plan covers habitats occurring within towns or villages in RBWM. Not only will this Habitat Action Plan cover larger settlements within the Borough such as Maidenhead, Windsor, Ascot and Wraysbury, but smaller villages such as Holyport, Cookham and Datchet. Urban areas are often considered as being less important for biodiversity than the more rural environments. However, urban environments can provide important habitats for a range of plants and animals as well as providing ecosystem services for local residents, such as mental and physical health and well being, provision of food and clean water, reduction of pollution and flood amelioration. Features such as roads and railways connect the majority of the man-made structures within the borough but can also provide important connectivity for wildlife.

New developments can have a significant effect on wildlife and on the ability of people to experience and enjoy nature and therefore it is important that this be recognised, protected and enhanced.

The biggest opportunity for enhancing biodiversity and creating new habitat in urban areas is by ‘urban greening’. This can be through the creation of green roofs, green walls, providing artificial nest and roosting sites for birds and bats or through the incorporation of Sustainable Urban Drainage systems (SUDS).