We urge everyone who has planted trees in the last five years to revisit them and give them some vital aftercare. Trees are great at locking up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere – using it to build their limbs and leaves. As they grow, more carbon is stored away, so trees are considered a potential […]
How To
Creating and managing a patch of wet grassland
Our tendency to drain large areas of land for agriculture and housing means we have lost many of our natural wetlands. This has contributed to erosion, loss of habitat and flooding. When creating a garden that attracts wildlife, you need a diversity of habitats. An area of wet grassland can help transform your garden into […]
Native trees in your garden
Longing for a break from bustling city life? Want to relax in the shade and take a deep breath of clean air while listening to lovely birdsong, but don’t have enough time for a trip to a woodland? Why not escape to a breathing space in your own garden? An essential part of creating any […]
Creating a Wildlife Pond
The world’s frog, toad, salamander and newt populations are disappearing at an alarming rate. The reason for this being mainly that their natural habitats – ponds and bogs – are also disappearing. However, you can make a difference! In the past, every village had a pond. Farmers who had no rivers nearby dug ditches joining […]
Green gardening without peat
Peat is, without a doubt, great for growing plants in. So why should we not use peat in our gardens? Well, peat bogs are home for a wide range of plants, insects and bird life. Since 1999 the development of commercial alternatives to peat has increased. The media has also made efforts to help spread […]
Basic Safety in Conservation Work
Practical conservation work should be carried out as safely as possible. Being aware of various safety points not only reduces the risk of accidents or illness but also enables groups to work more effectively – increasing everybody’s enjoyment and satisfaction. Safe work is good work! This page is only intended to be a guide for […]
How to build a fence
Fences are sometimes used to protect newly planted trees or to enclose areas which need to regenerate. They control access of people, wildlife and grazing livestock and are often built in conjunction with footpaths or other forms of access work. Different types of fences have been devised to suit particular habitats and functions. Hands-on techniques […]
How to improve access in the countryside
Access work makes it easier for people to get around in areas of open space or countryside. It includes building and repairing paths and trails, waymarking, constructing steps, stiles, bridges, gates, boardwalks and doing drainage work. Much access work consists of maintaining these features to keep the rights-of-way network open. Hands-on techniques for improving access […]
How to select trees for new native woodland
If you’re planting a new native woodland, you’ll need to decide what species to plant. With native trees, some may be readily available from a local nursery, while others may not – but you could always choose to grow native tree species from seed. The species chosen should be native to the local area. You […]
How to create a wildflower meadow
Most of our wildflower meadows have been lost since 1950, mainly due to changes in farming practice. With a little bit of space, time and patience you can create a wildflower meadow in your own garden. Imagine the peaceful sound of buzzing bumblebees. The pleasure of little butterflies, scurrying from one colourful wildflower to another. […]
How to manage sand dunes
Dune management involves restoring eroded areas and stabilising others using vegetation and fencing. The idea is to help, not obstruct the dune-forming processes to conserve the dune ecosystem. Access work, building boardwalks to steer people away from sensitive sites, is also important. Hands-on techniques for managing sand dunes Dune Stabilisation The most useful species to […]