Wildlife Trust - Young people campaign for nature

Small spaces, large steps for wildlife recovery

A campaigning group of young conservationists is asking nature lovers to save small spaces for nature, creating a giant step for wildlife recovery.

Photo: Tree Bumblebee by Alan Wright

Photo: Small Tortoiseshell by Alan Wright

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust Wilder Youth group believes that if everybody can make their own small area for nature, they will add to a larger network helping to start addressing the biodiversity crisis affecting the planet.

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust Wilder Youth group believes that if everybody can make their own small area for nature, they will add to a larger network helping to start addressing the biodiversity crisis affecting the planet.

The campaign, Small Spaces for Small Creatures, has a goal to create more than 100 square metres for wildlife in the North West, adding substantially to the Nature Recovery Network that is being built by fellow conservationists.

By creating a square metre for wild flowers, vitally important insects will have a source of food and pollen. If this is increased 100 times it will mean many gardens will join parks and nature reserves, providing a haven for our bugs and other creatures and plants that depend on them.

Wilder Youth have found that 41 percent of the world’s insect species are threatened with extinction over the next few decades and the rate of loss is much faster than other wildlife like birds and mammals - the local extinction rate for insects is eight times higher!

Small spaces for small creatures

A campaign by Wilder Youth

HELP POLLINATORS BY PLEDGING 1 SQUARE METER (OR MORE) OF GREEN SPACE TO CREATE MINI WILDLIFE HABITATS

No matter how small!

From fields to flower pots, you can grow wild flowers anywhere and make a difference.

Sign up here

There are many factors contributing to this rapid decline, from the increasing use of pesticides to the loss of habitats that our key pollinators call home.

Wilder Youth campaigner Charlotte Castle said: “Our brilliant pollinators are facing extinction, but we can all help by taking this one small action. Together we can create a network of wonderful wildflowers to support

Enjoy nature and get outside

Gardening can give a great opportunity to relax and unwind in nature, as well as helping insects!

Pledge now

Are you ready to do your bit and help our native insect and invertebrate species?

@wilder_youth

our bees, butterflies, moths and small creatures.

“It doesn’t matter what space you have - a garden, a field, a planter or even just a windowsill, you can still grow wildflowers and make a difference.”

Wilder Youth is calling on naturelovers across Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside to work together, using their own space, to form a safe network of wild spaces. You can join the campaign by making a pledge today and save an area of outdoor space to plant wildflowers that will benefit our precious pollinators. Those making the pledge will receive a booklet straight to their inbox with more information about growing wildflowers, from recommended species to further actions they can take to protect our key pollinators.

Wilder Youth Campaigner Sofi Soyler said: “This campaign encourages people to take conservation into their own hands and hopefully the tangible results can spark new inspiration for future activism.”

The Youth Campaigning Group is open for anyone between 11-24 years old, who lives, studies or works in Lancashire, Manchester or North Merseyside.

The group will support the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside in the fight against natures decline and the climate emergency in the North West - a place where youth voice matters. No prior knowledge of the environment or wildlife is needed, just your enthusiasm and a positive attitude to make positive change. This group is primarily based online.

If you have any questions, get in touch with us at: youthcouncil@lancswt.org.uk

The Wildlife Trusts

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside is dedicated to the protection and promotion of the wildlife in Lancashire, seven boroughs of Greater Manchester and four of Merseyside, all lying north of the River Mersey. It manages around 40 nature reserves and 20 Local Nature Reserves covering acres of woodland, wetland, upland and meadow. The Trust has 30,000 members, and over 1,200 volunteers. To become a member of the Trust go to the website at www.lancswt.org.uk or call 01772 324129