The cash that's haven sent

They are delicate natural havens, meadows, rare grasslands, wet woodland and even fens that lie within Greater London's boundaries.

These precious areas are as loved by Londoners as they are by the rare birdlife, delicate fungi and once-common insects that inhabit them.

In recognition of their value to humans and wildlife alike, £781,000 of Lottery money has been awarded for their upkeep as part of a £1.1million project given the go-ahead today.

The award will ensure free public access as well as the protection, restoration and management of London Wildlife Trust's best nature reserves.

Hillingdon is the principal beneficiary, with no fewer than eight reserves likely to benefit. All are owned by the local authority and managed by the Wildlife Trust. "While these reserves are much-loved by local people, every Londoner stands to gain from this award," the London Wildlife Trust said, quoting a recent study that linked accessible open space and quality of life.

"In an increasingly sterile urban environment where bland turfing and 'lollipop' tree planting are the norm for open spaces, Trust reserves can be places to observe nature through the seasons," says the Trust.

"Places to listen to birdsong and the gentle hum of grasshoppers, look for wild orchids and count the fascinating variety of insect life from butterflies to hoverflies. These areas are not only essential sanctuaries for biodiversity, guarding against species decline that has beset the countryside, they are also essential refuges for people."

The nature reserves that stand to benefit are:

Totteridge Fields, Barnet. Part of London's last remaining tracts of traditional countryside where ancient meadows are criss-crossed by hedgerows.

Saltbox Hill, Bromley. This Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is a remarkable fragment of chalk downland, home to the rare chalkhill blue and dark-green fritillary butterfly. Species of orchid such as pyramidal, fly and bee orchids thrive here.

Hutchinson's Bank and Chapel Bank, Croydon.

Another surviving remnant of chalk grassland, rich with wonderfully diverse butterflies, plantlife and birds and an adjoining area of ancient woodland.

Frays Farm Meadows, Hillingdon. An SSSI, these luxuriant wet hay meadows are a rare habitat now and home to snipe, harvest mice and many unusual plants.

Denham Lock Wood, Hillingdon. This SSSI is a marvellous wet woodland and fen with winter wild-fowl visible from the margins, banded damselfly hover in summer and fungi grows in autumn.

Dews Farm Sandpits, Hillingdon. Nature has dramatically reclaimed this former mineral quarry. The grassland is its most striking feature - its hollows and banks visible evidence of its past.

Uxbridge Moor, Hillingdon. Huge pollarded willows arise from the banks of an island made by the River Colne. Its two meadows are a respite from the surrounding industrial estate.

Four of the Trust's nature reserves are incorporated into the Yeading Valley which covers a large green area with an extensive network of public footpaths linking into longer walks such as the Hillingdon Trail between Ruislip and Hayes:

Gutteridge Wood, Hillingdon. An ancient oak and hazel coppice woodland with shimmering carpets of bluebells in May.

Yeading Brook Meadows, Hillingdon. Wildflowers and grasses abound here hosting an array of insect life from Roesel's bushcricket to gatekeeper butterfly and burnet moth.

Ten Acre Wood, Hillingdon. A 100-year-old plantation beside the flower-rich Yeading Brook Meadows. Hawthorn and blackthorn blossom. A popular place for bird-watchers.

Ickenham Marsh, Hillingdon. A low-lying swathe of soft rushes and tufted hair grass close to the river with an oak and ash woodland developing on the higher ground.

Sydenham Hill Wood, Southwark. This wood is extraordinarily rich in species given its proximity to central London - it has over 200 species of trees and flowering plants.

Wilderness Island, Sutton. Located between two arms of the River Wandle, this enticing reserve has important wetland habitats and abounds with warblers, blackcaps and butterflies.