Biodiversity
Biodiversity is shortened from ‘biological diversity’. It is the variety of all life forms on Earth, from the tiniest bugs living in the soil, to the butterflies in your garden, the plants they feed from, and the biggest whales in the sea. Humans rely on the plants, animals and bugs around us so it is important for our survival to support all living things around us where possible.
Support Biodiversity
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Plant wildflowers to help pollinators
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Avoid pesticides, weed killers and synthetic fertilizers
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Help the bugs by building a bug hotel. Why not add a pool? This can be done with an old bucket or tyre (avoid if you have small children in the house)
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Recycle waste water (as long as there is no soap/washing up liquid in it) by using it to water the flowers
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Do not flush wet wipes/baby wipes
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Do not use floor wipes or disposable cleaning products
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Try to use natural cleaning products rather than chemical based, synthetic fragrances not only impact the environment but also have a negative effect on your nervous system
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Only buy food you know you will eat. Up to 1/3 of all household food goes in the bin. Agriculture is one of thee major contributors to climate change
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Purchase local goods
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Reduce your consumption of unnecessary goods
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Start a compost heap
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Buy re-usable items rather than disposable/ single use plastics
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​Avoid using fossil fuels where possible – heating your home with oil, lighting the fire. If a fire is your primary source of heat use the recycled compressed woodchip briquettes
You can make your own bug hotel just like one of our learners Nora Ann. She made this by reusing a plastic bottle and some twigs and leaves from her garden.
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You don't have to have a garden to make one either. Why not put one on a balcony/ window sill outside?
You can also help local bugs by creating a pool to go with the hotel. Any vessel can be used: an old planter, basin, even an old tyre lined with a plastic bag can be used. You can plant around it or add rocks to help it blend in to the garden if you like.
Here you can see Patsy's bug hotel in the making and the final product using a variety of materials from the home and garden.
