Member Article

Hampshire housebuilder and RSPB call for homeowners to help struggling wildlife

A Hampshire housebuilder and the RSPB are calling for homeowners to create a haven for struggling wildlife in their gardens.

Barratt Homes and the conservation charity are asking people in the region to give their gardens a mini makeover for nature. Not only are gardens a vital lifeline in the colder months, but now is a great time to plan and prep for the warmer seasons next year.

And, to help give homeowners advice on how best to give wildlife a home in their gardens, balconies, and even windows, the RSPB has produced a handy new guide to getting started, packed with simple, low-cost hints and tips.

The guide provides lots of advice on planning the perfect outdoor space. Winter is a great time of year to get planning and digging so that when spring arrives next year, homeowners will have a fantastic space to enjoy whilst also providing a haven for wildlife.

The RSPB is asking for homeowners to share their mini makeover stories and experiences using the hashtag #NatureGardenChallenge, on social media, the new Facebook Group, and the online community. There are also four new mini makeover films on the website from the RSPB wildlife and gardening expert Adrian Thomas: www.rspb.org.uk/yourdoorstep.

Sadly, nature in the UK is in trouble – 38 million birds having been lost over the last 50 years, with house sparrows, starlings and song thrushes all considered birds of conservation concern. Together with a 76% decline in butterflies and the loss of a third of urban hedgehogs since 2000, wildlife really needs a helping hand. There is so much that homeowners can do to help, however. Taken together, UK gardens are three times the size of Greater London. That is a lot of space that could make a big difference to nature.

This is why the RSPB and Barratt Homes have been working together since 2014 to show how new homes can help nature and support wildlife. This support has allowed the RSPB to breathe new life into its wildlife-friendly gardening work through the creation of Nature on Your Doorstep.

Sarah Brompton, RSPB Actions for Nature Project Manager, said: “We want every homeowner to come together and share their wildlife gardening experience. There are so many ways we can all be using our outdoor spaces to give nature a home, whether that’s by planting plants for pollinators or making a bug hotel.

“The great news is that it makes these places such a joy for us as well – a visit from a hedgehog is bound to bring a smile to every face, and there’s something quite special about seeing a robin foraging in the snow. Together we can make our outdoor spaces a true haven for us, and for nature.”

Jon Green, Managing Director of Barratt Homes, Southampton Division, said: “One of the easiest ways to help wildlife is on your doorstep. This is why we give new homeowners lots of information and guidance on how they can turn their blank canvas gardens into something wonderful that will look beautiful and help nature too. If we could harness every garden in the country to look after wildlife more it would make a massive difference.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Barratt Homes .