We’re always being told to reduce, reuse and recycle. Why? Because it’s good for the environment, of course. The trouble is, “the environment”, sounds like something far away in a rain forest. But it isn’t. It’s right outside your door.
Looking after our environment should be our number one priority, but until we stop thinking of it as a far away thing, we really won’t put in that much effort. So what can you do to bring the environment closer to home? How about getting involved with the local wildlife?
As much as recycling and other “green” activities affect us, they surely affect our wildlife even more. As humans we see litter as just unsightly. To small mammals such as mice and shrews, things like discarded cans be death traps.
So what, you might think, they’re just pests. Well, yes and no. They might be pests to us, but they are food to other animals and birds and we need to keep the balance. It’s all about learning to be less selfish and to enjoy the other creatures we share our planet with. And, if you’ve got a back yard or garden, then what better place to start.
Any work you do in your back yard will produce waste. But instead of just throwing it away, think about other uses. Maybe some of it could be used as nesting material for birds or a home for toads or hedgehogs.
We’ve mentioned compost heaps before as a great way to recycle food and look after your plants. But compost heaps are great homes for insects too. Insects, of course are great for the garden as well as being food for small mammals. So why not encourage more insects.
Kids love building things and this bee box is a great project that reuses some easily available household bits and bobs. Not only is it fun to build, but it’s great to see what kind of bees you can attract to your garden. There are more species than you might think.
Remember, helping wildlife is helping yourself.
