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Nation
asked what’s wildly attractive- take part in seasonal online survey
23 May 2007 … Immediate Release ………
Buddleia and butterflies are a wildlife match made in heaven but there are
a host of other ways plants and animals interact – now’s the
nation’s chance to share similar stories and help build a picture of
what works well for wildlife in our gardens.
When you watch wildlife in your back garden, on your roof terrace, balcony
or window box, what’s your favourite plant for attracting wild
creatures? What creature does
it attract? What do they use
the plant for? Wild About
Gardens, a major project between the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and
The Wildlife Trusts (TWT), is calling on everyone to help build a picture
in a nationwide survey, the ‘Wild About Gardens Wildly Attractive Survey
2007’, and help investigate attraction between species.
The online questionnaire, which runs until 21 June, asks people to declare
their favourite plant for attracting wildlife in spring and which wildlife
they have spotted on it. Anyone
can take part by completing the survey at www.wildaboutgardens.org.
This is the first of four seasonal surveys which will run through
2007/8.
Morag Shuaib, The Wildlife Trusts’ gardening for wildlife project
officer, said: “My
small urban garden has been busy with all kinds of creatures using
different plants this spring. The
star of the show has to be the Clematis
montana
. This humble climber is often
seen in many gardens and you may not give it a second thought.
But this spring, as every spring, it has been awash with pale pink
flowers giving out a beautiful delicate scent.
“Best of all, a pair of nesting blackbirds have found a place within the
tangle of old growth and have successfully raised a brood, safe from local
cats. Watching the first
comings and goings of the couple was really exciting, and hearing the
gentle tseeping of the baby blackbirds just after they’d hatched was the
icing on the cake.”
Simon Thornton-Wood, director of science & learning for the RHS,
explains, “Each year more and more
people are becoming interested in encouraging wildlife into their gardens.
The responses we have collated from previous surveys is invaluable,
however, we still need more knowledge on plant combinations, location and
gardening practices. This
intelligence is vital to gain a greater understanding of what makes a
successful wildlife garden. We
are encouraging gardeners across the
UK
to provide us with this information and help us create a haven for
wildlife.”
Stephanie Hilborne
, chief
executive of TWT, added, “We
know there is great enthusiasm for wildlife gardening among garden owners.
Different plants have varying degrees of effectiveness in
attracting and supporting wildlife. We
want the
UK
’s garden owners to help us uncover a better picture of this important
issue and ultimately help us discover the optimum conditions for the
perfect wildlife garden. I
urge everyone to get involved.”
For those without access to a garden of their own the RHS is encouraging
community gardeners, schools and local neighbourhood groups to introduce
wildlife through a special category in the national Britain in Bloom
campaign. www.rhs.org.uk/britaininbloom
For
further information please contact:
Anna Guthrie
Cat
Steventon
senior
press officer
press officer, Science & Learning
The
Wildlife Trusts
Royal Horticultural Society
Tel:
01636 670075
Tel: 020 7821 3046
Email:
aguthrie@wildlifetrusts.org
Email: catsteventon@rhs.org.uk
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