Impact on Wildlife.

41% of wildlife species in UK have suffered strong or moderate decreases in their numbers – numbers of species, or number of individuals within a species. Insects, at the bottom of the food chain, have suffered most but mammals like hedgehogs have declined by 95% since the 1950s.   If we destroy wildlife habitat and routinely spray chemicals on the land designed to kill insects, guess what?

We end up with fewer insects and declining numbers of wildlife that depend on them!   Foxes, deer, badgers, hedgehogs, voles, mice, snakes and bats, frogs, toads, great Crested Newts, butterflies and bees all depend on healthy gardens, parks and woodlands.

Bird numbers in many species are also in decline. Taking just three woodland birds,-  song thrush, bullfinch and lesser spotted woodpeckers – numbers have fallen to critical levels.

What we can do:

• Discover what visits your garden and what you can do to protect them by feeding them, giving them a water source, guarding their habitats and growing the plants they like to feed on.
• Put up nest boxes, as many gardens are short of natural nest sites especially for birds that nest in holes;
• Put up bird tables and keep feeding the birds especially through winter with food that they need – Put out a water dish/bird bath for the birds.
• Enjoy watching the birds feeding and come to know which birds are thriving in your garden.

Trees make a very important contribution to a healthy ecosystem, so are vital resources for the survival of all living beings.  

We show children what actions we can take to manage the trees:

• Plant more trees (ideally native English species).
• Only fell trees with good reason – understanding that they have many uses e.g. fuel or wood for furniture.
• Don’t fell trees during bird nesting season – it destroys their habitats
• Leave dead trees standing to provide habitats for insects and birds.
• Protect young trees from predators – rabbits, squirrels and deer.

Nature’s recovery is essential for future generations