Making Gardens Wildlife-Friendly

Private gardens cover more land in the UK than all nature reserves combined, making garden management a significant lever for urban wildlife welfare and biodiversity.

Key Facts

UK private gardens cover approximately 4,000 km squared — larger than all national nature reserves combined
One in six species in the UK is in decline, many of which use gardens
Pesticide use in gardens directly kills invertebrates and indirectly harms birds
Log piles, compost heaps, and long grass provide essential habitat
Hedgehog populations have declined by 50% since the year 2000, partly due to garden management

Welfare Considerations

Urban gardens provide refuge, foraging habitat, and movement corridors for a wide range of species. The welfare of individual animals benefiting from garden habitat - from hedgehogs and songbirds to bats and invertebrates - is directly affected by management decisions. Pesticides kill not only target species but also beneficial insects, birds, and small mammals. Simple changes including pond provision, log piles, and native planting have outsized welfare and biodiversity benefits.

What You Can Do

Eliminate pesticide use from your garden and manage pests biologically instead
Create a hedgehog gap in your garden fence to allow movement between gardens
Install a garden pond for amphibians, insects, and drinking water for birds and mammals
Plant native wildflowers to support pollinators throughout the season
Leave areas of long grass, log piles, and leaf litter for overwintering insects and small mammals