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| Frog home |
A survey has revealed that nearly seven out of 10 people in the North
West would consider paying more for a property that has a wildlife-friendly
garden.
Together, the RSPB and Rightmove asked
1,548 people across the UK a series of questions
relating to gardens and garden wildlife.
In answer to the question ‘would you pay more for a house with a wildlife
friendly garden?’ 16% of people in the North West surveyed answered ‘yes,
definitely’, another 9% answered ‘probably’ and 41% said ‘maybe’.
Of those surveyed in the North West, more than 9 out of 10 (91%) said they were
happy when they saw wildlife in their garden, and 83% feel they have a duty to
protect wildlife.
Across the region, three quarters of respondents agreed that gardens
play a role in helping to save some of the threatened species in the UK.
The survey was carried out to get an insight into people’s knowledge and
interest in UK garden wildlife following the launch of the RSPB’s new campaign,
Giving Nature a Home, which aims to
help tackle the crisis facing the UK’s threatened wildlife.
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| Hedgehog home |
The charity is urging the nation to provide a place for wildlife in their own
gardens and outside spaces and hopes to inspire people across the UK to create
a million new homes for nature.
TV homes expert, Linda Barker, is supporting the campaign. She said: “To
me, having wildlife in your garden is the perfect finishing touch to any home.
Planting wild flowers, digging a pond or creating a log pile for bugs is not
just a good way of getting creative and making your garden more attractive, but
it will also benefit threatened garden wildlife at the same time.
“Individual actions will make a difference and start to help tackle the
lack of habitats for some of our wild creatures. In my garden I’ve put up a nest
box for birds and planted nectar-rich flowers to attract bees. If everyone can
do just one thing and gave nature a home in their outside space it would be
amazing - together we can make a big difference.”
Sarah Houghton, RSPB campaign manager, said: “The results of this survey
are really encouraging. To find out that the majority of people in the North
West think having a wildlife-friendly garden is so important they’d consider
paying more for one is great news. Nature in the UK is in trouble and some of
our more familiar garden species are amongst those suffering serious declines.
Gardens provide a valuable lifeline for things like starlings, toads, hedgehogs
and butterflies, so we want to persuade people to give nature a home where they
live – it could really help make a difference.”
Matthew James, Head of Communications at Rightmove, comments: “The
garden has always been one of the key aspects many buyers consider when looking
for their dream home, and for some it can even end up being the deciding factor.
For so many homebuyers to say they would consider paying more for one is a very
promising sign for the Give Nature a Home campaign. Wildlife-friendly gardens,
as well as helping to prevent a further decline in some species, can be a great
way for families to enjoy the outdoors and learn more about the creatures that
live, quite literally, on their doorstep.”
The launch of the RSPB’s Giving Nature a Home campaign comes after 25 wildlife organisations, including the RSPB,
released the groundbreaking State of Nature report revealing 60 per cent of the wildlife species studied have declined over
recent decades.
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| Nestbox |
Sarah from the RSPB continued: “There are all sorts of jobs you can do in your garden at this
time of year that will help give nature a home. From planting bulbs ready to
attract bees and other insects next year; building or buying a hedgehog
shelter, also known as a ‘Hogitat’, ready for them to hibernate in; digging a
pond or tidying-up your existing one; or putting up nest boxes in time for next
spring.
“And those who want to rest not work this weekend can still do their bit for
nature. Holding off on pruning your hedges is a great way of helping wildlife
without actually having to do anything. Leaving them until around February
next year means the berries will be able to be eaten throughout the winter.”
The RSPB is offering free expert advice to people on how to give nature a home
in their outside spaces - whether it’s a huge garden or a small planting tub on
a balcony.
By visiting the RSPB’s website people can get their free Giving
Nature a Home starter guide, pledge their support by sharing plans,
pictures, tips and ideas with others. The site also gives more
information about what the RSPB is doing to give nature a home in the wider
countryside. rspb.org.uk/homes
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