How good is your garden for wildlife? How effective is a pond if you live in the city? Are your flower borders attracting bumblebees? Is your compost heap good for more than just your plants? What are the ingredients for the ultimate wildlife garden?

Join the Wild About Gardens Discovery Survey 2006, and help investigate the links between garden mini habitats, gardening practices and key garden species!

The survey runs from 2-17 September 2006, and is available as a pdf document to download online, or as a leaflet from your local Wildlife Trust or RHS Garden. You can also complete it online.

To take part in the survey online, go to the home page and click on the link under ‘Take part in our survey!’, on the right hand side of the page.

Please note that you must conduct your survey between the survey dates of 2-17 September and forms completed earlier cannot form part of the survey response.

In the survey, we will be asking garden owners to complete an inventory of types of plants and features in their garden, including the garden’s location, and answer questions relating to gardening practices. The survey will also ask participants to note observations of key species. Garden owners will be asked whether the following species visit their garden within the two-week survey period: Hedgehog, Goldfinch, Common frog, Toad, Bumblebee, and specifically the Brown Bumblebee.

Simon Thornton-Wood, Director of Science & Learning for the RHS, explains, ‘Gardening for wildlife has gained credibility and popularity amongst gardeners in recent years leading to increased demand for advice in this area. Research into the environmental value of domestic gardens has given us the popular blueprint for wildlife gardening advice, but research is still in its infancy.’

He continued, ‘The combinations of plants, features, gardening practices and location all have varying degrees of effectiveness in attracting and supporting wildlife. We want Britain’s garden owners to help us uncover a better picture of this complex issue and ultimately help us discover the optimum conditions for the perfect wildlife garden.’

Stephanie Hilborne, Chief Executive of TWT, added, ‘After the huge response to our survey in 2005 we know there is great enthusiasm for wildlife gardening amongst garden owners. The key species that we want gardeners to observe have been carefully chosen because they are good indicators of the effectiveness of particular conditions and practices. Hedgehogs, goldfinches, frogs and bumblebees are all declining or fluctuating in number and there is no clear indication why. I urge everyone to get involved to help us gain a better understanding of how gardens support wildlife.’

Anne MacCaig of Ribena commented, ‘Domestic gardens are becoming more important than ever for wildlife as traditional habitats are lost, and it is vital to find out which species are thriving and which need more help. Our 41 Ribena blackcurrant growers are doing all they can to help local wildlife, by implementing wildlife-friendly conservation plans on their farms. However, gaining an up-to-date snapshot of the wildlife in people’s gardens will give a much greater overview of how native species are faring and the conditions they need to thrive, which the Ribena growers will be able to take into account on their farms.’

Survey forms must be completed and returned by 22 September.

source : www.wildaboutgardens.org.uk