BIODIVERSITY

What’s the problem?

Our planet supports an amazing variety of species, from plants and animals to birds, insects and microorganisms. Here in the Three Rivers District, we are lucky enough to be surrounded by chalk uplands, meadows, river valleys and woodlands and it’s easy to feel that nature is thriving.

But research shows a very different picture. The demands of a growing, industrialised population are taking their toll, with forests, bogs and grasslands repurposed for agriculture, sprawling cities, overfished seas. Plastic pollution is even reaching our most remote islands. The fact is, the biodiversity crisis is just as grave as the climate crisis and yet it receives far less attention.

Close to home, around 20% of Hertfordshire species are at risk of extinction, according to the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust State of Nature Report 2020 But a growing number of local groups are taking action and we hope you will be inspired to join them and take your own steps in daily life.

 

What can I do?

At home

  • Use environmentally-friendly cleaning products such as plant-based or natural home products like white vinegar and lemon juice

  • Eat less meat and dairy

  • Buy local food, visit farmers markets

  • Save water - buy water butts and use washing up water on your plants

  • Put a bell on your cat - cats are responsible for around 55 million songbird deaths in the UK each year

In the garden

  • Avoid using pesticides on your lawn or garden. Use organic, nature-friendly products instead

  • Adopt the No Dig method of gardening to keep carbon in the soil

  • Make your own compost and if you have to buy it, always buy peat-free compost to avoid destruction of peat bogs

  • Plan some breaks from cutting your lawn -- letting your grass grow longer allows insect species and birdlife to thrive. The National Trust has a handy guide

  • Support our bees - sow wildflowers and native plants to provide nectar. Make a bee hotel!

  • Grow your own flowers, fruit and vegetables

  • Plant a tree in your garden and get involved in local tree-planting projects

  • Create a wildlife corridor by cutting small holes in your fences to allow small mammals to travel in and out. Hedgehog Street has lots of good ideas on how to encourage hedgehogs in your neighbourhood

  • Put out nuts, seeds and fat balls in hanging feeders for birds and learn more about species in our local area. The Woodland Trust has a handy guide to recognising birdsong

Biodiversity in Three Rivers

  • Croxley Parish Council planted a small wildflower meadow in Croxley Green as a pilot project during 2021

  • Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) launched a five-year action plan for improving biodiversity in March 2022, including changes to the way grasslands are managed, new tree planting, spring wildflower planting, hedgerow restoration and wetland creation.

  • Fund4Trees is a charity founded by local biologist Russell Ball, which educates the public, especially young people, about the protection and improvement of trees and advances all areas of tree research. Contact Russell to arrange a talk in your local school or to join one of his sponsored cycle rides

Local opportunities to volunteer with biodiversity

The following Three Rivers groups focus on environmental activities:

Shocking facts