
4 ways you can support nature and wildlife this May and June
Were you inspired by David Attenborough’s ‘Wild Isles’ to do more to boost UK plants and wildlife? Would you like to make a difference but don’t know where to start?
Here are some simple things you can do to make a difference in your own back yard, your own neighbourhood and in the Chilterns, this May and June.
Wild Weekender - part of the 'Save our Wild Isles' campaign
The RSPB, the National Trust and the Wildlife Trusts have teamed up on the Save our Wild Isles Campaign, and from 28th April to 1st May you can take part in the Wild Weekender.
Whether you have a garden, a balcony, or an unloved community space, and whether you live in an urban area of the countryside, you can help any outdoor area can become a flourishing wildlife haven. Sign up at the weblink to receive free tips and tricks on how to make your space wilder and share photos using the hashtag #MyWildSpace.
If you’re wondering why you would do this, you can look at the RSPB’s latest big garden bird watch results which showed startling declines in some garden bird species, highlighting the fragility of our natural world.

Now Mow May
Join Plantlife’s No Mow May movement and liberate your lawn starting on the 1 May.
No Mow May is Plantlife’s annual campaign calling all garden owners and green space managers not to mow during May – liberating your lawns and providing a space for nature.
A healthy lawn with some long grass and wildflowers benefits wildlife, tackles pollution and can even lock away carbon below ground – and best of all, to reap these benefits all you have to do is not mow your lawn in May! Even just leaving a little patch unmown will have a benefit.

The Wildlife Trust's 30 days wild in June
Take part in 30 Days Wild The Wildlife Trusts‘ annual challenge where they ask everyone to do one wild thing a day throughout the month of June.
Sign up at the link above to receive a free pack. The packs are tailored to families, schools and youth groups, carehomes and workplaces with plenty of ideas for wild things to do to help nature and wildlife.

River Chess volunteering - MudSpotter
The River Chess Smarter Water Catchment initiative needs a few local volunteers to learn how to survey the condition of chalk streams though carrying out MudSpotter surveys in Rickmansworth. MudSpotter is a brand new survey type that has just been piloted successfully in Chesham. It’s just a couple of hours of training, not too difficult, and you just need to be proficient with a mobile phone and happy to go for a walk in wet weather! You’ll take walks and identify places where the sediment is coming into the river from culverts and pipes.
The River Chess Smarter Water Catchment project is a partnership including local councils and so the date you collect will be used to resolve major sediment issues in the Chess, which have a negative effect on fish spawning and invertebrates, an essential part of the river’s ecosystem.
E-mail chesscs@chilterns.org.uk to get involved.
Have a look also at our Volunteering Hub through the links below.
Filter our Volunteering Opportunities

Chess Smarter Water Catchment Initiative
Chiltern Society
The Conservation Volunteers
Urban Habitats Conservation Group
Apply for a Volunteering Opportunity
Related news
Red kites: avoiding conflict in our gardens
We're working with Natural England, British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and local wildlife groups to bring together further guidelines to lessen harmful interactions.
Nature Calling: read new poetry inspired by the Chilterns
Read a collection of new poetry by Lee Nelson, who was commissioned as part of the Nature Calling programme.
What is Luton Henge?
Nature Calling artist Matthew Rosier's "Luton Henge" project launched earlier this month with an event at Marsh Farm.

Chilterns Walking Festival
Upcoming events

Plan your trip to the Chilterns!
Keep in touch!
