How we can all help Nature Bloom

World Earth Day on 22nd April raised awareness of the climate and biodiversity crisis and educated on how to take action to mitigate it. It also marked 11 years since the launch of environmental charity, Sussex Green Living.

An essential ally against the climate crisis is nature. We are losing nature at an alarming and unprecedented rate. For anyone who has been watching Sir David Attenborough’s latest BBC programme, Wild Isles, you will know that Britain is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.

In the last 50 years over 38 million birds have disappeared from UK skies, 97% of our wildflower meadows have been lost since the 1930s, and over one quarter of our mammals are at risk now.

Biodiversity and climate are inextricably linked, you can’t fix one without the other. And as Sir David Attenborough wisely says, “The truth is, every one of us, no matter who we are, or where we live, can and must play a part in restoring nature.”

There are lots of things you can do to help wildlife to thrive that don’t cost a lot but can help nature, boost biodiversity and create a lovely space for you.

Start by filling it with native plants, Cowslips and Primroses are great for pollinators likes bees and butterflies.

Climbing plants like Clematis are a good source food for birds and small mammals, as is the honeysuckle which is also where the white admiral butterfly lays its eggs.

Use a good peat-free compost; there’s no point destroying fragile wildlife homes elsewhere to try and make our own spaces better for wildlife.

Plants don’t stop being useful once they’ve finished growing. Gathering dead leaves and fallen branches into a pile will add nutrients back to your garden and encourage other wildlife to visit.

Melanie Nurse, Sussex Green Living