Gardens and Biodiversity

The gardens of Essex can help to safeguard biodiversity by acting as nature reserves. There are estimated to be 15 million gardens in the UK, covering about 270,000 hectares – a vast area of land and potentially of enormous value to biodiversity.

 

Together all these gardens, small and large, form a patchwork of habitats for wildlife. You can contribute to preserving biodiversity by making a few small changes, such as encouraging a wild area with weeds and dead wood to provide a food source and suitable habitats for invertebrates or by putting in a wildlife-friendly pond.

 

For other ideas see the Wildlife Trusts website feature Wildlife  Gardening and Natural England website Wildlife Gardening.

A new leaflet is now available from RHS Hyde Hall - The Garden for Wildlife. This includes tips on which plants to include and how to make your garden attractive for wildlife. Click here to download the leaflet.