As International Biodiversity Day approaches on Friday, May 22, a new booklet has been launched to provide advice on how to help the wildlife in your garden. 

The brainchild of zoologist and author Juanita Browne, the booklet was produced by Local Authority Heritage Officers across Ireland with help from the National Parks & Wildlife Service and The Heritage Council.  Free copies of the booklet are available to download free-of-charge from the County Donegal Heritage Office website at www.donegalcoco.ie/heritage or by e-mail at heritage@donegalcoco.ie.  

Taking a very practical approach, the 40-page booklet entitled ‘Gardening for Biodiversity’ details projects to help wildlife of all kinds under a range of headings, with tasks suitable for everyone from the total beginner to the more ambitious do-it-yourself enthusiast. With clear instructions and step-by-step drawings by illustrator Barry Reynolds, the guide offers people lots of options to help our biodiversity. 

“There is an abundance of wildlife to be found and to be supported in our gardens,” said Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer.

“There’s an increasing interest in the birds, bees and bugs on our doorstep and, in recent weeks, people have taken the opportunity to explore the wildlife in their gardens or in nearby public spaces.  The illustrated advice contained in this free booklet provides some simple ideas as to how you can appreciate the biodiversity around us and help make your garden a haven for wildlife.”

For the more adventurous, the book contains step-by-step guidance on how to build a bird bath, create a log pile for hedgehogs and mini beasts, and how to install a pond or bog garden. With an estimated two million gardens in this country, action by just some of those people could make a huge difference for our native wildlife.  But it won’t just benefit the biodiversity. There is increasing evidence that time spent in nature is good for our own mental health and well-being too.

‘Gardening for Biodiversity’ is funded by the Department for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht as part of the implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan.  If you would like a free copy of the ‘Gardening for Biodiversity’ booklet, please contact the County Donegal Heritage Office at (074) 917 2576 or by e-mail at heritage@donegalcoco.ie. 

The ‘Gardening for Biodiversity’ booklet is available to download free-of-charge from the County Donegal Heritage Office website at www.donegalcoco.ie/heritage as is the ‘Gardening for Biodiversity’ Colouring Book for children.