If you have access to a garden, whether your own or a community garden, there’s so many ways you can help your local ‘species on the edge’ – let’s take a look.
1. Grow plants which flower in different seasons so wildlife has food throughout the year
Whether it’s bumblebees or birds, our species need to eat no matter the time of year! Explore Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s monthly planting guides. Or, if you’re in Shetland and got access to a little bit of land, why not plant a ‘bumblebird crop’! We have created a specialty seed mix which produced plants which provide nectar for pollinators in the summer and seeds for birds in the winter, such as twite. Contact Harry in Shetland for more information on our bumblebird seed mix or watch our online talk.
Why not grow some fruit and veg? Pollinators love the flowers and they’ll pollinate your food! A win-win! Explore Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s Grow your own fruit and vegetables and Grow your own herbs guides.
2. Mow your lawn less often so flowers can bloom
Do something for nature by not doing something – can’t get simpler than that! You might have heard of Plantlife’s No Mow May – but did you know May is just the start? Plantlife have created a No Mow Movement Calendar setting out how you can help wildlife in your garden year-round. Check it out here: No Mow Movement Calendar | Plantlife
3. Create wildspaces
Make space for nests for invertebrates. They like to nest in long tangled grass, compost heaps and bird boxes. Leave twigs, leaves and natural debris as shelter for insects and other wildlife.
Avoid using artificial grass – artificial grass blocks access to soil for insects and birds, has no climate benefits and isn’t actually maintenance-free.
Hedges are better than fences! Hedgerows offer a habitat that fences can’t match. Plant flowering trees and shrubs such as hazel, willow, blackthorn and hawthorn – these also allow wildlife to move through gardens.
4. Provide water for wildlife
Whether a pond or a bowl of water – wildlife love it! Ponds attract wildlife such as frogs, bees, newts, and birds, and also help sustainably manage water in intense rainfall. You don’t need a big source of water, even using a washing up bowl of water or saucer of water on a windowsill can help. Add twigs or stones for somewhere insects can rest above water.
5. Be a citizen scientist
Get involved in this fun way to help your favourite wildlife. Submit sightings of birds, frogs, butterflies and more to let us know where wildlife is (and isn’t) and contribute to biodiversity and climate change research. Find something suitable for you on our citizen science hub.
6. Enjoy spending time in nature
Connecting to nature has been proven to benefit both our physical and mental health. Research also shows that those who feel connected to nature are more likely to take action to help it. So go and notice nature, appreciate it, unwind, and connect with it. Then go help it!
Our Orkney team have worked with RSPB Scotland and NHS Orkney to create a Nature Prescription Calendar – this is a calendar which contains monthly suggestions of seasonal nature-connection activity, designed to benefit your physical and mental health. If you live in Orkney, chat to your GP about getting a Nature Prescription and the accompanying Nature Prescription Calendar.
If you’re someone who enjoys art, why not have a go at drawing what you see? Or write a song or poem. Or paint! Release your creative side.
Our North Coast team created a Nature Relaxation Film featuring a guided meditation helping you connect with nature. You can watch that on YouTube now:
7. Spread the word!
Show someone the amazing work you’re doing for wildlife in your garden or community garden. Inspire them to help nature in their garden too!
