Skip to main content

Ecology and Biodiversity

Find ways to explore the biodiversity in your area.

Wildlife in the UK is in danger. Of our ancient forest cover, just 2.5% remains and only 7% of these are classed as being in good condition. Our once vast meadows have shrunk by 7.5 million acres, while 90% of wetlands and seagrass meadows have been lost in the last century alone. Worsened by pollution, urbanization, intensive agriculture and persecution, many of our most iconic species are in sharp decline. Insect populations have shrunk by over 60% since the millennium, and one in five British mammals are threatened with extinction.

While Swale Borough Councils declaration of a Climate and Ecological Emergency and subsequent action plan aims to tackle this, everyone has a part to play. Small actions we can take in our gardens and in our communities- from letting your lawn grow for an extra month to tree planting, or supporting your local green space- can have a huge impact on our wildlife.  On this page you will find just a few tips to help you make a difference.