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What You Can Do For Wildlife

In your garden:

  • Garden for wildlife (external website, opens new window) – grow flowers to attract bumble and honey bees; leave untidy areas for hedgehogs; dig a pond to attract wildlife; put up bird and bug boxes
  • Don’t buy peat (external website - opens new window) or peat-based products for your garden or house plants – compost your food and garden waste to make your own fertiliser
  • Go native (external website - opens new window) - plant hedges of native flowering and berry-bearing species
  • Avoid buying or planting invasive non-native species

In your spare time:

  • Go on a guided walk (opens new window) led by the National Park Rangers or the Wildlife Trusts to find out more about the area and its wildlife
  • Become a conservation volunteer
  • Get involved in landscape and wildlife conservation projects in your area
  • Support conservation charities
  • Join in with national and local wildlife recording schemes
  • Explore and enjoy the wildlife around you
  • Kids can find out more about wildlife with the RSPB (external website - opens new window)

At home or away:

  • Buy local products such as food, gifts and products that help look after the environment.  Look out for producers who hold the Peak District Environmental Quality Mark (opens new window) 
  • Buy sustainably produced woodfuel (external website - opens new window) for your woodburning stove or open fire
  • Help tackle climate change: cut your energy use;  insulate your home; turn the thermostat down one degree; don’t leave electrical appliances on stand-by; choose a low-emission car; car share, use public transport, cycle or walk
  • Conserve water (external website - opens new window), especially in the summer
  • Be aware of legislation and planning guidance pdf (pdf, 451kb) which is in place to protect biodiversity, you may need a protected species survey for your planning application

If you are a farmer or landowner:

  • Get support to manage your land to enhance biodiversity through agri-environment schemes (external website - opens new window)
  • Get advice and support from the Peak District Land Management Advisory Service at the Agricultural Business Centre in Bakewell every Monday 9.30am – 3.30pm, ring 01629 816270, or email farming@peakdistrict.gov.uk

As a business:

  • Think about how you can integrate consideration for biodiversity into your day-to-day operation.
  • Consider producing a Company Biodiversity Action Plan.

Click on the above links for factsheets or sources of more information.