Make a plan
Organisation is the key to any successful project so plan, plan, plan. Use whatever method best suits you to organise and arrange your project. Here are a few ideas on what you'll need to do.
Have a look around your place. What’s there already? Make a list of all the types of plants and features. If you need some help on identification then use the Plant Finder. Remember that something which may seem like rubbish to you could be a five star bug hotel so make sure you take a good look before throwing it on the skip and leave plenty of messy bits for beetles.
You may need to create new habitats or shelters, like a bird home, or provide new food supplies such as wildlife- friendly plants. You also need to consider how you are going to maintain the area once the initial work has been carried out as plants do have a habit of growing and getting out of control.
If you're unsure about how to assess your wildlife area and need some help or advice then don’t worry, there are agencies and groups that can assist you, so you don't have to do it alone.
Health and safety
Safety is really important and you need to check if there are any potential hazards to address when planning the space. Make sure you have appropriate insurance cover for yourself and any other volunteers.
Access is also very important so ensure that there's access for your local community, including people with special needs and pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Once you've planned your project get wildlife friendly!
