ECO CHURCH NEWS
This Month: 3. BIODIVERSITY AND HABITAT RESTORATION
In the UK, over the last 250 years, we have lost a vast amount of
wildlife habitat due to intensive farming and the Industrial Revolution.
We had the largest amount of hedgerows in the world, but lots have been ripped
up after the Second World War. Farmers are now replanting to try and restore
habitat. We at the Mission have our own hedgerows which attract lots of birds,
moths and wild animals.
Hedgerows represent a remnant of ancient woodland. More restoration needs
to take place. If as a nation we can restore our much depleted wildlife we could
become an example to the rest of the world on how restoration can be achieved.
The first step is to be less tidy, let areas of vegetation and trees do their thing
along the edges of roads, fields, gardens and hedges, and let waterways find their
own courses to slow down the flow and ease flooding lower downstream . It’s not
necessarily about letting things go completely wild, but about sharing our living
space with other living beings.
Without biodiversity, ultimately we kill ourselves as we need plants, trees, insects
and animals to feed ourselves. And when they are gone life on earth will be very
uncomfortable for us.
AN APPEAL: I NEED HELP! Do you enjoy gardening? Or do you have an
interest in nature? Or would like to learn about nature?
I am considering starting a Wildlife Gardening/Biodiversity Group at the Mission.
This would involve plant surveys/bird counts/butterfly counts/bulb and flower
planting/ leaf sweeping and general tidying of the garden/bird box checking etc.
Or whatever anyone would like to do!
We could meet regularly as a group to plan and do tasks that need doing.
Until now, I have done most of it myself, but now I am finding it more difficult
due to arthritis. So I thought we could have an initial meeting to see what people
would like to do: SATURDAY 14TH JUNE AT 11am IN THE GARDEN ROOM.
This is open to everyone, not just members of the Mission, so do come along,
you will be most welcome. Refreshments will be served.
Sue Garfield