Supporting Nature with Sophie Pavelle

The responsibility and importance of individual actions for the environment can feel both empowering and stifling, to the point where we can feel overwhelmed by noise, choice and indecision – what can we do to help?

The good news is that there is much we can do for nature at home – whether we live in the countryside, city, or suburbs – nature can thrive alongside us. When it comes to making space for plants and animals on our doorstep, from bees to birds to bats - less is ultimately more.

I’m no gardener or naturalist, but as a science communicator and new homeowner I often question whether there’s anything I could change about how I manage my little home and garden to make it more welcoming to wildlife. So, through trial (and much error), here are some of my favourite ways to support and encourage nature to return to and linger on your doorstep, wherever you live.

Rough and ready gardens for Natural Nesting Material

You may have land, or you may have no garden at all - but offering natural nesting material requires little effort but reaps awesome wildlife rewards. Think empty snail shells, seed heads, leafy shrubs and brambles. Naturally, this is particularly useful in the run-up to spring, but species need nature to be available all-year round. So - resist the urge to domesticate the outdoors by keeping it neat and tidy, wildlife prefers it rough and ready!

Cosy Holes

Amazingly, the bees responsible for securing at least 30% of the food on our table’s sport among the lowest profile of any insect, overshadowed by their bigger, fluffier, more famous bumblebee cousins. Solitary bees are the underdog of the pollinator world,225 of the UK’s 270 species of bee are ‘solitary’, serving neither Queen nor colony, and not producing honey; their efforts instead focussed on an almighty pollination power. 70%of solitary bees are underground miners, burrowing into patches of bare earth and lawn. Within these tunnels female bees lay an egg on top of a ‘pollen package’, before sealing the entrance with leaves or mud.

You can support different species of solitary bees, by offering cavities for them to discover and nest in. To encourage as many species as possible, vary the length and diameter of holes. Drill holes into log piles, fence posts, or even poke holes into patches of bare earth.

Stay Hydrated

Everything needs water, especially in summer. Don’t overthink it - bees, birds and bats will be equally happy with a sip and a splash from a pond, a bird bath, or even just a shallow dish of clean freshwater.

Most national water companies offer free water-saving items, like water butts, for households on a water metre. These are ideal for storing over 100 litres of rainwater and supporting garden nature during the summer when they need it most.

Method in the Mow

I have a tiny front garden lawn as my test tube, allowing me to experiment. I used to think that a total ‘no-mow’ was a big ‘yes’ for nature. But there’s more to it...

According to Plantlife, a total no-mow throughout the year can be counter-productive and reduce the plant diversity of your lawn - especially if your soil is nutrient-rich.

But fear not the simple fix is all about length. Garden nature thrives on long and short grasses growing together. Consider leaving a patch to grow tall until the autumn. On hot days in midsummer, I see starlings or sparrows taking refuge in their shade.

At the same time, mow strips around this patch on a higher setting every few weeks throughout the summer to allow the shorter, nectar-rich plants to flourish. A simple bit of plant planning can make all the difference too, giving your local patch more resilience and variety.

Come summer evenings, I sometimes see bats swooping in to dine on the increased insect life that has arrived since managing my tiny lawn in this way. And yes, I Iive in a city!

Flower Power

England and Wales lost 97% of lowland wildflower meadows between 1930s – 1980s. UK grasslands store up to two billion tonnes of carbon to a depth of one metre, yet they and other grasslands around world are still declining.

But if given the space, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust estimates an area of wildflower meadow can support up to 40 plant species per square meter!

You can help achieve this at home. If a windowsill, balcony, or sunny courtyard is your available space, that’s more than enough real estate for some our most important species:

Dandelions. For humans, a weed, for pollinators, an icon. Their sunny, shallow landing pad and high nectar content makes it an essential fuel-station for many different insects.

Allium not only look stunning but are dripping with nectar in summer. An essential flower for any pot or border!

Dahlias are a brilliant autumnal nectar source. Being mindful of seasonal flora is really important to support pollinators into winter.

Chives, (and all herbs) are great if you let them flower (and a treat for the gardener!)

Encouraging plants and animals to find a home around your own can be among the most powerful ways of forging and sustaining a lasting relationship with the natural world, your local community and neighbourhood. Make it personal, relish the fun and spontaneity of it, and don’t take it too seriously. Focus on quality over quantity, little and often to let nature do the work it so desperately needs to continue.