Wildlife Gardens Awards
Last year we introduced the Wildlife Gardens Awards Scheme
into our area
By entering your outdoor space for a free Wildlife Gardens Award in 2024 you will be making space for wildlife and helping us understand how local people are supporting wildlife, biodiversity and sustainability.
Award Levels:
BRONZE - 4 or more wildlife-friendly features, at least one from each category
SILVER - 8 or more wildlife-friendly features, at least two from each category
GOLD - 12 or more wildlife-friendly features, at least three from each category
and must include ALL those marked *
The award assessment checklist of 24 simple wildlife-friendly features:
FOOD FEATURES
Bird-feeding station
*Nectar-rich flowers
Fruit trees or berry-bearing shrubs
Some perennials left uncut until spring
Vegetable patch/container
Herb garden or growing herbs
SHELTER FEATURES
*Either: dead woodpile OR log pile OR stone pile OR area 1 m2 minimum left undisturbed
Climbing plants on wall/trellis (eg. Ivy, Honeysuckle, Clematis)
Mixed native hedge (eg. Oak, Hazel, Hawthorn, Blackthorn)
Mature tree(s)
Some lawn left to grow long
Wild flower patch
Bird, bat or hedgehog box
Insect / bee hotel
WATER MANAGEMENT FEATURES
Wildlife pond of any size including a bucket or bowl – best without fish
Bog/permanently wet area
Drought-resistant plants
*Bird bath
MANAGEMENT
*No use of pesticides & toxic slug pellets
*Avoid chemical weed killers
Compost bin, heap or wormery
Rain butt to save water
*Use of peat-free compost
Hedgehog access/transit through garden boundaries
WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO GET AN AWARD?
Check your outdoor space for these 24 simple wildlife-friendly features – you may have some of these already or could easily add one or two this year. The awards are open until 31st July 2023.
When you’re ready complete in the free entry form here: https://wildlifegardensawards.org