The trimorphic Lythrum salicaria, the Purple Loosestrife, showing its three forms of marriages, legitimate and illegitimate
The nominated World Heritage Property is a mix of public and privately owned land managed by a number of organisations and individuals. The World Heritage bid is being submitted by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport; the London Borough of Bromley has led in the management of this project. The Council is supported in this role by a core partnership of key organisations, including English Heritage, the Natural History Museum, Downe Residents' Association, Natural England, The Charles Darwin Trust, Greater London Authority, London and Kent Wildlife Trusts, London Development Agency and ICOMOS-UK. A wider partnership of stakeholders including the local community, landowners, schools and businesses are also involved.
A steering group oversees the work of a number of subgroups covering the following themes: Landscape & biodiversity, interpretation & education, visitor management and community consultation. The vision of the partnership is to use and manage sustainably the natural and built landscape of the Darwin's Landscape Laboratory nominated World Heritage Property to develop access to, learning and understanding of Darwin’s insights into natural life and their universal significance.
Key achievements
Establishing in 1997 a partnership of national, regional and local organisations to progress the WH bid
Producing and delivering the first Nomination Document and Management Plan in January 2006
Circular trail leaflets interpreting Darwin’s local work published with the help of a Heritage Lottery Fund grant. A Darwin mural was unveiled in Bromley’s Marketplace
Delivery of Darwin-Inspired learning to 4 schools near Downe including work to establish school wildlife areas, and training for Bromley’s teachers. Darwin days are held for school children and Darwin Challenge badges are awarded annually to scouts, guides and woodcraft folk
