I Do One Thing
British nature is in crisis. 1 in 7 species of plant and animal face extinction, over half the country’s wildlife species are in decline, with over 40% of natural habitats at risk of being lost. However, with over 68 million people in the UK, together, we can make a difference.
Through this initiative, we hope to nurture a positive change in our behaviours, inspiring people to carry out simple actions, daily, which when combined, deliver an enormous benefit to wildlife and the environment. By inspiring children and adults, alike, to live more environmentally friendly lifestyles, in school, at work, in the community, and at home, the initiative hopes to restore balance in our ecosystems by promoting coexistence.
Every action you do, even something as simple as picking up litter, has the power to significantly reduce the risk to wild animals. Imagine the impact we could have if we all did one small action every day?
Small Actions, Big Impact
Here is a list of activities you could do to help wildlife, today
1. Plant Wildflowers
Honeysuckle, oxeye daisy, primrose, etc can help pollinator species
2. Slow Down
Driving slowly, especially at dusk and dawn when wildlife are on the move can help prevent collisions
3. See it, Bin it
Picking up litter can prevent animals from accidentally eating or becoming entangled or injured by it.
4. Create corridors
Create hedgehog highways (holes in fences for hedgehogs to pass through).
5. Provide support
Feeding stations are simple and easy ways to support local wildlife, such as foxes, hedgehogs, and small mammals.
6. Brunch for birds
Put out food for garden birds, especially in winter when natural foods are reduced.
7. Avoid Pest Products
Slug pellet and rodent poisons often cause secondary poisoning in predator species.
8. Break it Down
Composting food waste can help provide a refuge and feeding area for creatures like beetles, toads, bats, birds, grass snakes, small mammals and slow-worms.
9. Provide a Home
Giving wildlife a home by providing bird and bat boxes, hedgehog houses, and log piles, helps them shelter from the elements.
10. Let It Go
Leaving a section (or all) of your garden to grow wild is the best way to attract a variety of wildlife
11. Check First
Checking the garden for hedgehogs and other small animals before mowing the lawn can save a life!
12. Provide a Pond
A pond is a great way to attract toads, frogs and newts, whilst also providing a water source for other wildlife. But remember to place a ramp to help animals get out!
13. Pile Them Up
Building a log pile in your garden/grounds is a quick, cheap and easy way to provide a home for insects and small mammals.
14. Pesticides Poison
Garden pesticides upset natural ecosystems and damage waterways, use natural pesticides instead like garlic spray and diatomacceous earth.
15. Make Fencing Friendly
Barbed wire and loose stock fencing can cause significant damage to wildlife whilst doing little to deter trespassers.
16. Lift It Up
Pick nets up! Every year, we take in multiple patients that have become entangled in football, tennis and other sports netting.
17. Pets Not Prey
Ensuring garden pets, such as rabbits and guinea pigs, are safely secure can prevent them being predated by foxes and even cats and dogs.
18. Tidy Up
Don’t leave your personal belongings outside. Foxes are curious and mischevious with a fondness for new shoes in particular. If you want to keep them, put them inside.
If you’d like to do EVEN MORE for wildlife, check out our step-by-step guides to a variety of activities which can turn your garden into a wildlife haven.
Click here for our step-by-step guides
