Nature is not just beautiful and richly diverse – it is essential for life on earth. We humans are a part of this natural world, part of a web of life – plants, insects, wildlife, trees, air, soil – and we need to live in harmony and mutual interdependence with nature.
Unfortunately, we have failed to do this. Humans continue to threaten biodiversity as we kill off insects, birds and animals too. When we pollute the earth or take more from it than nature can readily replenish, we threaten our own part in the web of life. It is time to put that right.
Insects – a keystone of the web
Insects make up the bulk of known life on Earth. They play essential roles in the proper functioning of all ecosystems. Multitudes of amphibians, birds, bats, reptiles, small mammals and fish rely on insects for food.
A third of the food crops we grow need insects to pollinate them
Without insects you lose one of the key building-blocks of biodiversity.
So the loss of about 60% of insects in the UK in the last 50 years is very worrying. More than 40% of insect species are declining with a third endangered. Butterflies and moths are among the worst hit. Safeguarding the remaining insect population is really important.
Blacknest Forest School has successfully shown how to engage with nature, learning more and more about the birds, bugs and mammals, the trees and whole eco system. We aim to widen children’s horizons and open their eyes to what we all can do to protect the natural world. We make it fun for them to learn how to better protect the world in which they must live.
Forest School sessions run throughout the holidays allowing children to build a symbiotic relationship with nature. They learn to love and protect nature, and to soak in the health and joy of being in the woods.
Land – and the soil on that land – is precious. It sustains life. It is God’s wonderful gift to us so I accept my responsibility to steward the land. Slowly we are learning what it takes to make it richer for wildlife and to see ourselves as part of a much bigger life-enhancing picture. We play our part in the restoration of land and habitats. We live in a moment in history where we see species and habitat loss at shocking rates; humans – particularly in richer contexts – are too often living disconnected from nature and where crucial carbon sinks that naturally capture carbon are disappearing. We can do something about it.
At Forest School, we suggest actions we can take to make improvements:
- Learn what is there and marvel at finding species like butterflies, beetles, frogs or newts.
- Leave areas of garden uncut – left wild for insects.
- Plant lavender and many other wild-flowers which insects like to eat
- Avoid using chemicals and pesticides in our gardens
- Put out water for insects and wildlife.
- Create a compost bin in which insects like worms can flourish – they reduce the waste going to landfill and can make fantastic soil to be used in your garden or on your vegetables.
- Build a bug hotel. Expand the web of life within your garden.
I am so grateful to A Rocha UK, the Christian conservation organisation, which made me a Partner in Action as a land manager and which has encouraged and supported me on this journey.