A Welsh local authority is conducting a survey to establish the importance of local gardens for wildlife.
A survey, being carried out by Denbighshire County Council's countryside service, aims to find out how valuable the county's private gardens and allotments are for wildlife. Kate Burgess, Denbighshire's biodiversity officer says:
"Gardens can provide refuges for many species under pressure in the wider countryside. Many garden flowers and shrubs provide food and shelter for butterflies, moths and birds. Mature trees are good breeding and roosting habitats for birds and bats, frogs, toads and newts may breed in garden ponds, and stone piles and walls can be ideal hiding places for reptiles and small mammals."
The council is producing a gardens and allotments habitat action plan, which recognises the increasingly important role these areas can play in wildlife conservation. It aims to encourage more gardeners to give consideration to and find out more about the county's wildlife. The survey runs until December and there will be an opportunity to win some wildlife gardening goodies in a free prize draw at the end.
To take part, or to find out more about gardening for wildlife, contact Kate on 01824 708234 or at biodiversity@denbighshire.gov.uk. Survey forms can be picked up from Loggerheads Country Park or downloaded from
www.denbighshire.gov.uk/countryside.
