Why is it important to garden for wildlife?

Gardens are increasingly important havens for wildlife as habitats in the wider countryside shrink and fragment, and climate change takes its toll.  

Up to a quarter of a city’s area can be made up of gardens, so although each garden on its own may be small, together they form a patchwork linking urban green spaces with nature reserves and the wider countryside.

Our gardens represent a vast living landscape; and with an estimated 16 million gardens in the UK, the way they are managed can make a big difference to wildlife. Hedgehogs, sparrows, song thrushes and stag beetles are all declining species in the UK, but if we manage our gardens sympathetically for wildlife, these creatures and many more will feel the benefits. 

Wildlife-friendly gardening is about making a haven for you, as well as for wildlife.  By gardening sympathetically for wildlife, you’ll be rewarded by a truly natural outdoor space, where you can re-connect with nature and enjoy seeing the plants, animals and birds that make their home there.

Wildlife needs four things if it’s to thrive in your garden – food, water, shelter and a place to breed.  By providing some, if not all of these things, you will bring your garden to life.  

Posted in: Wildlife Gardening on 09 August 2019


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