Volunteer citizen scientists set to grow rare plant at home before replanting it across London

Volunteer “Tower Mustard Guardians” will be at the heart of the project. Participants will learn how to grow and care for tower mustard from seed at home, beginning in March 2026, before joining coordinated planting days in the autumn. Habitats & Heritage will be running a volunteer training event in Twickenham. Seeds have been sourced from London’s remaining strongholds, with new plants to be established at five suitable sites across the species’ historic London range.

This community led model builds on Citizen Zoo’s successful Hop of Hope project and its Citizen Zookeepers. The Hop of Hope project saw volunteers rear large marsh grasshoppers from eggs at home, going on to release the species in wetlands across Norfolk. Tower mustard is the first plant species Citizen Zoo has worked with in London, joining a growing portfolio of rewilding projects that also includes beavers, water voles, German hairy snails and white storks.

The tower mustard project is funded by the Mayor of London’s Green Roots Fund and Thames Water, the programme brings together Habitats & Heritage and a wide network of land managers and community partners. These include Barnes Conservation, London Natural History Society, Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators, London Borough of Hounslow and Lampton Countryside Rangers, Home Park, the 750-acre royal park adjacent to Hampton Court Palace and managed by Historic Royal Palaces plus Lesnes Abbey Woods in south east London. Botanist Dr Mark Spencer is providing expert support.

How to get involved!

Donate to this project today or become a member to support Citizen Zoo’s wider work. To volunteer for the project, head to our volunteer page to see upcoming dates and sign up for our newsletter.