Information on Loughborough

wildlife in your patch and greener gardens

Posted on 10/07/2007
P. Klein

peacock

If you want more wildlife in your patch and greener gardens, two publications on gardening for wildlife, and environmentally friendly gardening are available free from the Community Heritage Initiative, a project run by Leicestershire County Council, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Rutland County Council.

The two booklets, aim to provide easy to follow information about issues that affect our environment, including how to compost and other tips about going green in the garden. Gardeners can do much to help the environment and wildlife and become eco-friendly, thinking about how their every action could affect their own mini-nature reserve and the wider environment.

Gardens in modern times provide a valuable haven for wildlife. Gardening is a favourite pastime, with a growing number of people turning their hand to creating a small pocket of paradise in their own backyard. For many people watching wildlife in the garden gives a rare opportunity to connect with nature. Providing shelter, water, and suitable food sources can attract garden visitors from butterflies to birds and frogs to foxes.

The first publication, entitled Greenfingers, explores the issues of eco-gardening. Eco-gardening is about generating a healthy balance and working with nature to conserve the worlds resources, minimise pollution and encourage wildlife. It encompasses many of the beliefs of wildlife gardening (managing the garden to attract a variety of wildlife) and organic gardening (avoiding chemicals). Eco-friendly gardening also shows how local action can help to protect the global environment for the benefit of current and future generations.

The second publication, Natural Oasis covers wildlife in the garden through the seasons, as well as project ideas to attract more wildlife to visit. This includes providing home and care for hedgehogs and other popular wildlife visitors.

Both are available from the Community Heritage Initiative, telephone 0116 267 1377, email chi@leics.gov.uk or write to Leicestershire County Councils Environment and Heritage Resources Centre, Holly Hayes, 216 Birstall Road, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 4DG. To find out more information about recording the countryside, visit www.leics.gov.uk/celebrating_wildlife.