At the AGM in March, Wildlife Gardening Group Co-ordinator Czech Conroy gave a brief talk on the work of the group and why we believe wildlife gardening is so important.
Globally, nationally and locally we are experiencing a biodiversity crisis. Species are becoming extinct at a rapid rate in many parts of the world, and the abundance of most remaining species is declining. The UK has for a long time been one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, and the overall trend continues to be negative.
In many rural areas intensive agriculture predominates, where single crops are grown with a heavy reliance on toxic pesticides. In suburban areas parks are one of the main green spaces, and they tend to be composed primarily of close-cut amenity grassland – sometimes referred to as ‘green deserts’.
Nearly a quarter of London’s area is gardens
Gardens cover a substantial area of the country – 4.6% (nearly a million hectares) of Great Britain’s land area. Gardens account for a much large proportion of urban areas – 23% in the case of London.
All gardens are good for wildlife
By comparison with agricultural areas and most parks, gardens (all gardens) are good for wildlife. Gardens tend to contain a high variety of plant species, and that in turn tends to support a large variety of wildlife.
So gardens have a major role to play in addressing – and hopefully reversing – Britain’s decline in biodiversity.
We can make gardens more wildlife-friendly
Although gardens are generally good for biodiversity and wildlife, there is a huge potential to make gardening more wildlife-friendly – and this is what many gardeners want to do and are doing.
A survey in 2024 found that:
- more than 50% of gardeners had altered their gardening practices with the aim of supporting wildlife
- Four out of five gardeners reported not having applied any pesticides or weedkillers.
Support for Wildlife-Friendly Gardening
People who want to make their gardens more wildlife-friendly can get advice on how to do so from various sources, including books, websites and online videos.
But probably the best way to obtain advice is from fellow gardeners who have relevant experience and expertise. This is why, in August 2025, the Society decided to create the Wildlife Gardening Group. Membership of the group is open to anyone who is a member of LHS.
Aim and Activities of the LHS Wildlife Gardening Group
WGG sees itself as having an educational role, supporting its members (and LHS members
more generally) in benefitting wildlife and increasing biodiversity in their gardens.
WGG has four types of activity:
(a) organising visits by WGG members to establishments in and near Lambeth that have wildlife gardening expertise, such as: London Wildlife Trust’s Centre for Wildlife Gardening; South London Botanical Institute; Roots and Shoots.
(b) visits by WGG members to each other’s gardens to learn from each other and exchange ideas and experiences;
(c) online talks and discussions (in the winter) on topics such as creating a pond and gardening to support moths; and
(d) a WhatsApp group to facilitate exchange of information between members.
Moths Project
The group also has a Moths Project. This involves recording moth species found in four WGG members’ gardens, through the use of a moth trap (non-lethal), to find out how many moth species the gardens support. This is a year-long project that began in August last year, (The numbers of moth species and numbers of moths recorded in a garden provide one valuable indication of the garden’s wildlife and biodiversity value.)
In Conclusion
Since the group was formed last August there has been a slow but steady increase in the number of members. It’s a very friendly group and we’re always happy to welcome new members. So if you want to find out more on how to make your garden a haven for wildlife come and join us!