Natural England

Householders are being urged to get their hands dirty and safeguard the East of England’s gardens by the Government’s conservation advisor Natural England.

Today (Wednesday 18 July), thirty leading wildlife and horticultural organisations are joining Natural England in signing a wildlife gardening manifesto. This marks a united commitment to safeguard gardens as areas of vital habitat that provide our most frequent contact with nature.

Shaun Thomas, Natural England’s regional director for the East of England, said: “The gardens of England are under threat. Many gardens are now paved over and lost, reducing havens for wildlife, increasing the impact of flash flooding and contributing to climate change.

“Through this manifesto, Natural England is calling to action businesses, the public sector and the public to play their part and give gardens a future – for the benefit of our health and the survival of declining species, such as hedgehogs, frogs and bumblebees, that live on our doorsteps.”

Gardens act as a food supermarket for visiting and breeding birds and mammals. They are the place where most children make their first contact with the natural world and are often one of the only places where adults encounter wildlife apart from on a television screen.

A survey commissioned by Natural England found 39% of respondents in the East of England had their first contact with nature in a garden, and for 52% it is their main place of contact with wildlife now.

The survey also showed that people in the East are keen to garden with wildlife in mind – 66% said they make an effort to attract wildlife to their gardens, with a massive 93% feeding the birds, 62% creating areas partly or mainly for wildlife, and 59% avoiding using pesticides and herbicides.

Half of the region’s respondents believe getting healthy exercise in the garden is very important, while 67% think relaxation in the garden is very important. Almost half (49%) said gardens are very important places to see wildlife, and 41% think they are very important places for children to play. Joan Ruddock, Minister for Biodiversity said: “This manifesto will help improve gardening advice to encourage people to manage gardens in a way that benefits wildlife. This is essential because as our climate changes, the network of gardens could help wildlife to adapt and migrate throughout the country.

“It is inspiring to see leading wildlife and horticultural organisations working together to highlight the importance of gardens for both wildlife and for people’s health and well-being.”

Ends:

For further information, or to interview a wildlife gardening expert in the East of England, contact:
Helen Payn on 01733 455131 or helen.payn@naturalengland.org.uk or the National Press Office on 0845 603 9953, out of hours: 07970 098005 or press@naturalengland.org.uk

Notes to editors

1. Let our gardens live - A manifesto for sustaining gardens and their wildlife is available from http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/campaigns/breathingplaces/manifesto.htm

2. ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1007 adults aged 18+ by telephone between 15-17 June 2007. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at www.icmresearch.co.uk

3. Natural’s top tips for wildlife gardening can be found at http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/campaigns/breathingplaces/

• Create a pond - or just let an upturned bin-lid or a sunken washing bowl fill with water. Make sure ponds have one sloping side to allow creatures an easy way out and add lots of plants.
• Brighten your garden with flowers that provide pollen and nectar for bees, butterflies and other insects all year round. Many garden plants are as good for wildlife as wild flowers.
• Leave a pile of dead wood in a shady spot. Any wood will do, though large logs are best and can make a home for anything from beetles to other useful mini-beasts.
• Build a compost heap – it will save you money! It will also shelter creatures like slow worms that eat slugs.
• Provide food and water for birds all year round.
• Relax! Don’t feel you have to be too tidy. Leave some areas undisturbed. Allow a patch of grass to grow longer. This will encourage the wild flowers, provide shelter for small mammals and food for some butterfly caterpillars.
• Garden in a sustainable way to help protect wildlife and the environment worldwide. Use fewer chemicals and no peat; choose wood from sustainable sources; recycle all you can and save water.

4. Health facts:

• Contact with the natural environment improves children's mental and physical health
• A child's self discipline can be improved by 20% by simply having views of trees and vegetation outside their homes.
• Children are more likely to play in a green environment than on hard tarmac and at school this can reduce bullying.
• Obesity levels for children aged 6 have doubled in the last 10 years, and have tripled in 15 year olds. 22% of adults are obese and about 40% are overweight. Being overweight or obese accounts for as much as 30% of heart disease and 80% of diabetes and costs the UK £2.5 billion a year.

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.