ICB help to save Londons Sparrows
Tuesday March 9th, 2010
A green roof package, containing plants that could help to reverse the disastrous decline to London’s house sparrow population, is to be developed by ICB, one of the country’s leading suppliers of sustainable roofing solutions
The move follows agreement by ICB with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) to help save the sparrow as part of a three year sponsorship deal.
The company will predominantly help to fund a research programme within a new £180,000 project designed to reverse the decline of the sparrow, which has seen its population crash by 68% in the last 15 years.
In addition to funding, ICB will work with the RSPB to develop green roofs containing plants that attract the type of insects that young Sparrows need to survive and prosper.
Rob Jackson, managing director for ICB (International Construction Bureau) Ltd, commented: “We are delighted to be part of a project that helps wildlife particularly a species as iconic as the London house sparrow.
“Apparently the sparrow is a seed eater but its young need insects to develop into adulthood. The areas where such insects prosper have reduced significantly across London in recent years and as a result the sparrow population has declined to serious levels. Our sponsorship will help fund research into this decline and at the same time assist us to develop green roofs with the type of plants that these birds need.”
The RSPB has welcomed the involvement of ICB whose involvement could in turn significantly change the type of foliage specified by architects on future green roof projects.
“House sparrow numbers have fallen alarmingly in London,” said Tim Webb for the RSPB. “With ICB’s support we can try to drill down to the root cause of their population decline, but equally important is the ability for us to influence future development of green and living roofs that truly support wildlife.”
