The newest garden in Bloomsbury had its official opening on Wednesday 8 July. The Georgina Mace Garden ‘A vibrant green space that celebrates biodiversity, offering a peaceful setting inspired by a pioneering scientist’s vision for nature’ is a tucked-away small courtyard space near the UCL MRC building off Gordon Square. Open for the public to discover if they can (map ref at bottom of link), it was planned and planted by students of UCL to be a space that will remember the life and inspiration of Georgina who, among many other roles, was the founding director of the Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research (CBER) at UCL. A newly greened, shady space among tall buildings is a very welcome addition to the local gardens, encouragimg natural links and green corridors between the larger green spaces of the area.

Professor Dame Georgina Mace (1953–2020), was a scientist whose work transformed how we understand and protect the natural world. A pioneering leader in biodiversity research, she worked at the Zoological Society of London before becoming Director of the Centre for Population Biology at Imperial College, subsequently moving to UCL in 2012. Her work helped establish the scientific foundations for measuring biodiversity change and informed policies in the UK and globally. She championed the vital role of nature in supporting human health, economies, and wellbeing, and highlighted the links between environmental change, inequality, and global challenges.

The garden, just now very new but still evolving and expanding, stands as a tribute to her vision of a world where biodiversity is restored and valued.