We have launched a new initiative to promote the Gardening for Life Programme. This programme is supported by the Guildford Environmental Forum and Surrey Wildlife Trust. It encourages people to actively encourage 'flora and fauna' to thrive in their gardens by providing suitable habitats as well as gardening in an environmentally friendly way.
The Gardening for Life pack has information sheets on key species. (Please note this file is 1.8Mb, and will take around 5 minutes to download if you have a dial up connection). Please email climatechange@guildford.gov.uk if you would like a paper copy.
We carried out a survey in July 2003 and over 700 of Guildford's gardeners took part. As well as high figures for robins, blackbirds, ladybirds, sparrows and frogs, 37% reported bats in their gardens and 6% had bat roosts!
- 82% households had their own compost bin
- 64% collected rainwater
- 40% had plants that were drought tolerant
Although many of you recognised the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) mark - the 'good wood' standard - you weren't aware of the need to buy local English charcoal. Buying this charcoal helps regenerate local woodlands and reduces the destruction of habitats such as mangrove swamps.
In order to help us plan our promotional activities, we are carrying out a more detailed analysis to look at trends and to establish relationships between behaviour.
If you have any questions or would like to buy a discounted water butt, please phone David Harnett on 01483 444540, email climatechange@guildford.gov.uk or visit our pages on water conservation for more information.