Natural England launch Big Wildlife Garden website

Oct 1 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

GARDENERS in the North East are being urged to join a new project to create a regionwide network of wildlife-friendly plots.

Natural England has launched the Big Wildlife Garden website.

It will allow North East householders to log their own garden diaries, noting seasonal changes and the variety of wildlife their plants attract, and to pass on tips to other growers.

The aim is to encourage as many people as possible to take action to encourage wildlife to their gardens.

The hope is that this will develop into a linked network of mini nature sites, fashioning corridors along which wildlife can move.

This is especially important as climate change takes effect.

The 19 million gardens in England add up to more land than all the North East’s national nature reserves, which cover 18,500 hectares. Together, they occupy an area the size of County Durham and Tyne and Wear put together.

Groups with access to gardens and green spaces, such as scouts and girl guides, can also sign up and families, individuals and primary schools can collect bronze, silver and gold awards for their efforts to attract wildlife with the highest accolade reserved for the Green Award.

The website is http://www.bwg.naturalengland.org.uk

“Gardens are such a huge resource for wildlife in terms of their land area,” said Natural England regional senior biodiversity specialist Nick Brodin.

“A lot of gardens in the North East are already very good for wildlife but many could also be a lot better.”

Rob Aubrook, Natural England’s regional director, said: “ The website is for anyone who is passionate about encouraging wildlife to their garden. By bringing together a community of enthusiasts of all ages and getting them to join forces online, we can create a virtual nature reserve in which wildlife can thrive.