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You are here: Home / Archives for How To

How To

Young hazel tree growing in long grass protected be a tree guard

Young trees matter, cherish them

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 […]

Filed Under: How To, Tree planting & Aftercare

A field full of cuckooflower in spring

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 […]

Filed Under: Gardening, Gardens, Grassland, How To

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 […]

Filed Under: How To, Tree planting & Aftercare, Woodlands

A new pond in an urban setting

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 […]

Filed Under: How To, Waterways & wetlands

Sundew - a carnivorous bog plant

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 […]

Filed Under: Gardening, How To, Why

A billhook on cut willow stems

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 […]

Filed Under: How To, Safety

A post and wire fence in need of repair

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 […]

Filed Under: Fencing, How To

Man walking on a rural path

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 […]

Filed Under: Footpaths, How To

A newly planted woodland after about one year

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 […]

Filed Under: How To, Tree planting & Aftercare, Woodlands

Ox eye daisy in a summer meadow

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. […]

Filed Under: Grassland, How To

Sand dunes at sunset

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 […]

Filed Under: How To, Sand dunes

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