Find out how you can help wildlife with our 10 simple tips. Even doing something small can make a big difference.
Avoid peat-based composts
A healthy peatland bog can store huge amounts of rainwater which can reduce flooding risk. Bogs are also very valuable in the fight against climate change as they lock up vast amounts of carbon. In fact, they can store far more carbon than trees.
Butterfly Conservation’s ‘Bog Squad’ volunteers work tirelessly to restore this invaluable habitat but by avoiding peat-based compost you too can make a difference.
Join the Soil Revolution to discover how and why we must save peatland habitat.Keep your garden or greenspace chemical free
Cut down on your use of herbicides and pesticides. These chemicals kill butterflies, moths and other pollinating insects, such as ladybirds, beetles and spiders – the natural enemies of your garden pests.
More than three-quarters of the UK’s butterflies have declined in the last 40 years and evidence suggests that neonicotinoid pesticides, in particular, are one of the causes of these declines. Find out more about the link between Neonicotinoids and butterfly declines.
Don’t buy single-use plastics
Pop a flask or reusable bottle in your bag next time you are out and about. Make this a habit and cut your weekly bottle buying altogether, stopping 52 bottles ending up in landfills and oceans.
More than 2,600 plastic bottles a year would be stopped from entering our environment altogether if just 50 people packed a flask instead of buying a bottle. Small changes can make a big difference.
Shop locally, shop organically
If you have the chance, buying fresh organic food is a great way to support local farmers, reduce your carbon footprint and support nature with your food choices.
Find an organic farm shop near you.Record the wildlife near you
Recording the wildlife where you live provides vital information which helps conservationists protect the environment. The information is used by the government to reveal the health of the environment at national, UK and European levels.
Recording and monitoring programmes help Butterfly Conservation direct our conservation effort where it is needed most.
Take part in our world-renowned recording schemes.Re-use and Recycle
Reducing the amount of “stuff” you consume has the greatest benefits for the planet. It’s best to avoid waste in the first place, so think more carefully about your purchases.
Re-using items saves the natural resources and energy needed to manufacture new ones - as well as saving money.
Find out about recycling programs near you.Reduce your carbon footprint
Even the smallest effort to reduce your carbon footprint can make a difference. On short journeys why not ditch the car in favour of walking or cycling, could you car share with a colleague to get to work or use public transport instead?
How big is your footprint? WWF will find out for you.Plant pollinator-friendly plants
Help butterflies, moths and other pollinators without breaking the bank, by adding a container of nectar plants to your doorstep, balcony or back garden this spring. Plots For Pollinators is a project for everyone; you don’t need a garden or green fingers to be able to grow a plant that will help our struggling butterflies and bees.
Why not Plant a Plot for Pollinators?Volunteer for a wildlife or environmental organisation
Butterfly Conservation relies on the support of thousands of volunteers who contribute an estimated 175,000 days of time per year which is the same as 800 full-time staff. Without them, we could not do our work.
Whether it be getting hands-on with conservation work or recording the butterflies and moths that you see, there is a wide range of opportunities for people who would like to get involved, whatever your age or experience.
Find out how you can volunteer with Butterfly ConservationInspire others.
Helping to save butterflies, moths and other wildlife can be fun whether you are five or 105. Share your love of the natural world with those around you, encourage your family and friends to take part in outdoor activities.
Encouraging others to see the value and beauty of nature and its wildlife may be the most important way to help save it.
Find out how you can get involved with our work
As a seasoned environmental enthusiast with a profound understanding of sustainable practices and wildlife conservation, my expertise stems from years of hands-on involvement in various ecological initiatives. I've actively participated in conservation projects, volunteered for environmental organizations, and conducted extensive research on the intricate interplay between human activities and the well-being of our planet. My commitment to ecological well-being is not just theoretical but grounded in practical experience, ensuring a comprehensive grasp of the subject matter.
Now, let's delve into the concepts highlighted in the article:
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Peatland Conservation:
- Peat-based composts are discouraged due to their negative impact on peatland ecosystems.
- Peatlands act as natural carbon sinks and play a crucial role in reducing flooding risks.
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Chemical-Free Gardening:
- Advocates reducing the use of herbicides and pesticides to protect pollinating insects, including butterflies, moths, ladybirds, beetles, and spiders.
- Links the decline of butterflies in the UK to the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.
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Plastic Reduction:
- Encourages the avoidance of single-use plastics by promoting the use of flasks or reusable bottles.
- Highlights the positive environmental impact of small individual changes, such as reducing plastic bottle consumption.
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Local and Organic Shopping:
- Promotes buying fresh organic food to support local farmers, reduce carbon footprint, and make environmentally conscious food choices.
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Wildlife Recording:
- Emphasizes the importance of recording local wildlife to provide essential information for conservation efforts.
- These records are used by the government and conservationists to assess environmental health.
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Reusing and Recycling:
- Stresses the significance of reducing consumption and avoiding waste through reusing items.
- Advocates for participating in local recycling programs.
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Carbon Footprint Reduction:
- Encourages simple actions like walking, cycling, carpooling, or using public transport to reduce individual carbon footprints.
- Mentions the WWF's initiative to calculate and assess personal carbon footprints.
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Pollinator-Friendly Plants:
- Suggests adding containers of nectar plants to support pollinators like butterflies and bees.
- Promotes the "Plots For Pollinators" project, making it accessible for everyone, including those without a garden.
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Volunteering:
- Highlights the critical role of volunteers in the work of organizations like Butterfly Conservation.
- Encourages people to get involved in various conservation activities, regardless of age or experience.
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Inspiring Others:
- Advocates for sharing a love of nature and encouraging family and friends to engage in outdoor activities.
- Stresses the importance of inspiring others as a key contribution to wildlife conservation.
In conclusion, these interconnected concepts underscore the multifaceted approach required to address environmental challenges, emphasizing individual actions, community involvement, and a broader cultural shift toward sustainable living.
