It's In Our Nature...
Biodiversity is the term that refers to the millions of different species of plants and animals that exist throughout the world. Biodiversity is not just about taking steps to preserve and protect rare and threatened animals and plants, it includes every species from the common to the endangered.
In recent years, key wildlife habitats have been lost for a number of reasons including intensive farming, road and housing development and through the introduction of foreign species, which has had a devastating effect on many native species. Many of the plants and animals which depended on these habitats have also disappeared. A large number of these species are known to be rare, declining or under threat on a national or local level.
A Greenprint and Biodiversity Strategy has been developed with help from Derbyshire County Council and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust for the North East Derbyshire District Council area. The purpose of this document is to highlight important species and habitats for protection in North East Derbyshire. These important documents provide a framework for the conservation of biodiversity and includes actions that can be undertaken by community groups, landowners, farmers, businesses and the Council.
Here's what you can do to help towards protecting our our local habitats and wildlife:
Grow Wild!
Why not become a wildlife friendly gardener? Just by making a few small alterations to the way you garden you can have really positive effects on local wildlife.
- Become an organic gardener - make your own compost from garden and vegetable kitchen waste. Use compost instead of artificial fertilisers. (Instead of using pesticides, encourage natural predators into your garden like hedgehogs, slow-worms and thrushes.) For information on how to get the most out of home composting and compost bin discount offers, contact us on the Clean and Green Neighbourhoods hotline or visit our composting page.
- Cover fences with climbing plants such as ivy, clematis and honeysuckle - this will provide a place for birds and insects to hide and forage for food.
- Plant some native shrubs or trees - for example, hawthorn, spindle, hazel, gelder rose and wild cherry. These will provide homes and food for all sorts of wildlife.
- Leave out food and water for birds - nuts, seeds, fat and kitchen scraps provide healthy meals for a variety of birds. See below for ideas on how to encourage wildlife into our gardens by making a bird feeder.
- Hedgehogs love to eat dog food and drink water - don't put out bread and milk as this is very bad for the hedgehogs health.
- Create a wood pile of made of logs branches and twigs, or a stone pile as a shelter for insects. It doesn't need to be very big!
- Encourage butterflies in to your garden by planting buddleia, ice-plant and lavender. Butterflies thrive in nettle patches. If you have any clumps of nettles that can be left alone, this will make a great nesting patch for some species.
- Keep part of your lawn 5-10 cm high; this provides a valuable feeding area for thrushes, starlings and pied wagtails, and as a home for frogs and toads. When you mow your lawn, always remember to check the area first for animals and move them away!
- Dig a pond or put in a water feature. Both of these will attract lots of wildlife into your garden. Frogs, toads, insects such as dragon-flies and pond skaters and a variety of birds will all be attracted by water in your garden. You may even see great-crested newts, which are quite common in this area. If you have young children, remember to put netting over your pond or water feature where possible, and do not let them near the water unattended.
- Grow your own Christmas tree instead of buying one. If you do buy a real tree, buy one that has been sourced locally and from sustainable woodland! If you have room, you could also buy a tree with a root ball so the tree can be replanted, which means you can use the same tree more than once.
Buy-odiversity!
By thinking carefully about the products you buy you can also have an effect on global biodiversity.
- Avoid buying new products made from hardwoods, try to pick reclaimed timber instead.
- Buy only sustainable sourced timber products with accreditation (for example those supported by the FSC - Forest Stewardship Council)
- Do not buy peat based products such as compost as the peat is taken from threatened habitats. See our guide below to find out more about peat.
- Buy seeds and plants that are native and have been grown in this country.
- Where you can, buy organic food which is produced in harmony with nature.
- When on holiday avoid buying products that have been produced from local wildlife, for example, coral necklaces or starfish ornaments, as these could come from threatened habitats which may be relied upon by a variety of species.
Fancy A Walk On The Wild Side? - How You Can Help
If you would like to do more, there are many organisations which you can join, the Woodland Trust, World Wildlife Fund, British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, RSPB and Derbyshire Biodiversity are just some of the organisations that are working towards the protection and enhancement of biodiversity, many of them have projects in this area which you can volunteer to get involved in. Contact your local branch for more information on local projects and what you can do to help. Volunteer projects in Derbyshire include The Avenue Washlands Nature Reserve, the Moss Valley Project and the Lea Brook Valley Project.
Ladybird Survey
Ladybirds are important to local ecosystems and are loved by gardeners as they provide natural pest control, but they are under threat. The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) is inviting people to join the 2010 UK Ladybird Survey. All you need to do to take part is
- Keep your eyes peeled for ladybirds or organise a hunt for them
- Record what you find
- Report what you find
So remember to keep your eyes peeled if you're in the garden, park, woods or even in the house to spot those ladybirds.
Downloads
Learn how to make a bird feeder, hedgehog house and make a bee house (51.0 KB)
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