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Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction
People use much of the Earth's land for their own purposes. Sadly, this often doesn't leave much available for the local wildlife. About half of our habitable land is used for farming, and around 77% of that land is used for livestock and their feed. Urban build up only accounts for between 1-2% of habitable land use, however typical lawncare routines leave your lawn a biological desert.
Nest Boxes for birds (include safety info and cleaning), Butterfly homes Bee huts, Lady Bird Houses
~ Cultivate and Protect Habitat - Trees, Decaying Logs, Hedges, Bushes and Flowering Plants, Rockeries(Rock Piles), Rock Gardens, Flower gardens and Meadows, Steams/Rivers (add logs and stuff for hiding/resting/spawning)
Shelter Options
Shelter Options
Bat Boxes
Bat Boxes
Bat houses often fail because they are placed in inappropriate places, or are improperly made. Before buying or building one, make sure to learn about the location and design requirements.
Bat houses need to be placed suitably far from the ground and frequently used pathways with lots of noise so that they will be safe from predators, and undisturbed by noisy humans or dogs.
Bat houses need to be made from untreated wood to reduce their exposure to problematic chemicals, but other features like metal roofing can heat them up dangerously. Colour choices should be chosen carefully as white and pale colours can reflect heat, while dark colours like black can absorb too much heat.
Ensuring that the bat house is the right dimension for the expected bat species and number of animals is important, as is leaving the wood rough, or even adding something for grip will help the bats roost.
Bird Boxes or Birdhouses
Bird Boxes or Birdhouses
Rather than being used for nesting, bird boxes can be used by several to many bird to keep warm during cold weather.
Insulation
Insulation
Do not use foam for insulation!
Birds may peck at it and get poisoned or choke. Instead it is better to use natural materials such ad moss or grass. Let these materials dry out properly before putting them in the box, to reduce moisture and any potential mold.
Silicon gel can be used to seal up leaky cracks or ventilation holes, if you are converting a regular bird box to a winter roost box.
You can spread a thin layer of grass, sawdust, or wood shavings to act as both added insulation as well as making the box easier to clean at the end of the season.
Dark shingles on the outside can add more insulation, and the dark colour helps absorb additional warmth during the day. Letting the roof extend further than a normal bird box roof can help keep out wind, rain, and snow.
Orientation & Placement
Orientation & Placement
Be sure the entrance faces away from prevailing winds, but also in a spot where it can receive afternoon sun. This means the box will have time to absorb some heat before nightfall.
Boxes should be high enough to be out of reach of predators, but low enough to clean and maintain. Sheltered locations such as under the eaves of a building or against a tree trunk are both good locations.
Bees
Bees
Solitary bees are particularly endangered, and need our help more than ever.
Honey bees which are used by beekeepers and are notorious for stinging are an invasive species in countries like the USA, so trying to protect them may actually be harming the local species more than helping.
Before running out and buying a bee house, be sure to learn about the common dangers of manufactured bee and insect homes which include dangerous chemicals used to cure or paint the structures, mold, and likely hood that certain designs simply create a bug-feasting zone for predatory birds, essentially creating a death trap for the insects we are trying to help. For these reasons it's best to build your own, based on scientifically-supported materials and designs, or better yet, ensure your space has ample resources for insects to nest naturally.
These can include:
A Bare Patch of Earth - these are generally "bad" because bare earth can lead to soil erosion, soil degradation, or invite problematic weeds. However having a patch of two of soil, preferably kept somewhat damp, at least during nest-building seasons, will help a variety of species from insects to birds who can build some impressive homes with nothing but dirt and a bit of spit or even strands of grass.
Native Trees
Logs
Snags
Rock Walls
How-To Guide
How-To Guide
Hedge Rows
Hedge Rows
Did you know that ecologists can determine the age of an English hedgerow by the number of different species it contains?
Older and therefore more biodiverse hedges can support a wider variety of life because it is more likely to offer food year round as some plants go dormant in summer and produce in winter.
Species including insects, reptiles, hedgehogs, birds, and more rely on hedgerows. Hedgerows can act as wind breaks which protect farm land from erosion and nutrient loss, or homes from icy winds. As humans we can harvest berries, leafy greens, textiles, and even medicines from them.
Logs & Snags
Logs & Snags
A snag is a dead or partially dead tree, which eventually falls to become a log.
You can also leave logs in the environment if you have to cut down an invasive tree, or a tree needs to be cut down due to issues like disease, infestation, or dangerous placement (like leaning over someone's home at a dangerous angle). Make sure to check with local authorities or a certified tree surgeon to make sure you are not illegally removing protected trees, and that removal is being done safely. If the snag or tree is not infested with anything problematic then it should be kept for the local wildlife to use.
Logs and snags are vital in many kinds of biomes including forests, fields, lakes and waterways. They provide shelter to many species, a place to lay eggs or perform courtship, for example: fish, insects, and birds. Many species also use them to find their prey, such as birds or lizards who eat the insects who live under or inside these structures.
Snags
Snags
The link above recommends "A minimum of one 15-inch dbh or greater diameter den tree should also remain per acre." With a den tree being a snag with a large enough home for a family of animals.
Europe
Europe
UK
UK
Amphibian Habitat Management Handbook "is a resource for a range of range of users including conservation professionals and interested volunteers." ... "The natterjack is a conservation priority and a habitat specialist with very different ecological requirements to the other native amphibians. Hence a section of the handbook is dedicated to this species. The pool frog is currently subject to a reintroduction project and is not covered by the current handbook."
Hibernacula
Hibernacula
Rock Walls & Rock Piles
Rock Walls & Rock Piles
Swift Bricks
Swift Bricks
Swift bricks are being incorporated in a growing number of new buildings, though our research on the topic has found that they also offer safe nesting space for other bird species too!
Trees
Trees
Currently we are losing trees much faster than we can possibly plant them. Even more problematic is that many of the famous mass tree plantings were logistical disasters that have resulted in dead wastelands as no one bothered to water or care for the trees. Many are monitored for 2 years at a maximum, but conservationists warn that many die within their first 2 years.
The following information is organized so that actions with the easiest/cheapest/greatest impact solutions are listed first, followed by more difficult/less effective, to help maximize our impact without risking the higher likelihood faced by inexperienced gardeners.
With this in mind we want to caution that it is more important at this time to focus on reducing the amount of deforestation caused by our daily choices, as this will have the greatest impact. Low- and no-deforestation solutions can be very easy, cheap, and even healthy to incorporate into your life. With the savings you can gain with simple dietary or habit changes, you may find you have extra cash for donating to tree planting, or to growing trees yourself. Click the Deforestation button
The Trees page was designed to help people find free or cheap trees that they can plant locally. There are a number of reasons mass tree plantings fail including that trees are often planted far away from where people can easily access them for watering or proper care. Sometimes they are planted on plantations where trees would have been planted anyway and where they will eventually be cut down. Sometimes they are placed in foreign countries where the locals are not consulted, and end up cutting the trees down in revenge or due to lack of education. Some solutions to this include focusing on supporting or joining programs that provide education about the uses of trees, the importance of biodiversity, and training on how to sustainably harvest from useful trees. Programs should consult and include local communities to ensure ownership and benefit to the community. For example a community might want trees along roadways to provide shade from the hot sun and cleaner air, or they may have food insecurity and want a forest full of fruits and nuts. When you choose to grow a tree, it is a responsibility that involves watering, mulching, trimming, and pruning. You may have to deal with infestations, disease, or rot. "Volunteer" trees are more likely to survive than planted trees, and saplings are more likely to survive than older trees.
Resources & Guides
Resources & Guides
How-To Guide
How-To Guide
NestWatch: All About Birdhouses 🐦 includes resources such as the interactive "Right Bird, Right House" tool, trouble shooting guides, and tips for installing cameras.
Roost Box for Songbirds 🐦 (PDF)
Winter Roost Plans from the Pennsylvania Game Commission 🐦(PDF)
Europe
Europe
UK
UK
Amphibian Habitat Management Handbook 🐸"is a resource for a range of range of users including conservation professionals and interested volunteers." ... "The natterjack is a conservation priority and a habitat specialist with very different ecological requirements to the other native amphibians. Hence a section of the handbook is dedicated to this species. The pool frog is currently subject to a reintroduction project and is not covered by the current handbook."
Organizations
Organizations
International
International
Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation "is an international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. As a science-based organization, we both conduct our own research and rely upon the most up-to-date information to guide our conservation work. Our key program areas are: pollinator conservation, endangered species conservation, and reducing pesticide use and impacts."
Europe
Europe
UK
UK
England
The Big Green Internet "Our aim is to give wildlife a helping hand by creating new habitats and improving the ecological health of those already here. This is known as Nature Recovery.
The Big Green Internet project achieves this by planting wildlife corridors and hedgerows to connect isolated ‘orphan’ woodlands together."
Maps
Maps
North America
North America
USA
USA
Agrivoltaics Map "This dynamic map represents a census of agrivoltaic installations located across the United States. The map is constantly expanding as new sites are developed. If you are aware of agrivoltaic sites that should be added to the map or have a correction..."
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Google Sites
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