Enhancing Biodiveristy
Biodiversity has always been of the utmost importance to us
In recent years, the stark change in our environment is becoming more noticeable to all of us. The level of biodiversity has decreased; we are all seeing fewer insects on our windscreens during evening drives, quieter gardens, and a general decline in butterflies and small insect activity. This is an urgent and significant cause for concern and has played a major role in how we choose the varieties we grow.
We’d like to talk a little more about this here.
What is Biodiversity?
The term “Biodiversity” points towards to the variety of life in all its forms. It’s the intricate web of life that ensures the resilience of our ecosystem, the productivity of our farmland, and the overall health of our planet.
Insects, particularly pollinators like bees and butterflies, play a pivotal role in maintaining this gentle balance, as they are responsible for pollinating not only our flowers, but many of the crops we rely on for food.
Large-scale farming practices, which rely heavily on the use of pesticides, have contributed to huge habitat loss and biodiversity decline.
But we believe collectively maintaining pockets of wild, relaxed, chemical free land will create corridors of opportunity for insect life to thrive between the barren industrial farmlands.
The Importance of Our Gardens
Gardens make up over 400,000 hectares of land in the UK, more than all nature reserves combined. These spaces offer a significant opportunity to create thriving micro habitats that can serve as vital refuges for wildlife, supporting and enhancing biodiversity.
By cultivating an assortment of fertile plants (including native varieties), avoiding chemical pesticides, and creating features like ponds or log piles, gardeners can transform their outdoor spaces into thriving ecosystems. These efforts combined with encouraging landowners to find ways to create pockets of relaxed wilding fields, can make a huge difference.
How We're Making a Difference
Biodiversity is a guiding principle in our operations; it’s woven into all aspects of what we do. The very nature of our work; growing a wide range of tree species side by side, in close proximity, and in large numbers, means we’re creating a landscape that supports a diverse web of life and a haven for biodiversity. But we do more than just that …
We deliberately choose to grow species that offer real value to pollinators and wildlife. Allowing bees to do their important pollination work, and the resulting seeds or fruit offer vital food sources for birds and small mammals.
Many of the varieties we grow are native and have fertile, naturally occurring flowers unlike some man-made cultivars (which often produce sterile blooms).
We’re committed to minimising the use of chemical sprays as much as possible and we’re exploring ways to eradicate them completely.
And we have a rewilding project to create our own corridor of life between the barren farmland.
Our Rewilding Project
Five years ago, we embarked on an experiment: to leave a steep, challenging terrain untouched and simply observe what unfolded. Rather than actively ‘rewilding’, which implies a need to intervene, we adopted a gentler approach, one of relaxing the land: stepping back completely and allowing nature to take its own course.
Today this pocket of land, nestled between heavily farmed land, has transformed into a lush, vibrant ecosystem. Native trees like Oak, Hawthorn and Birch have naturally regenerated, creating a diverse habitat that supports a multitude of wildlife.
A central pond has become a focal point, attracting insects, birds, and bats, each playing a role in the intricate dance of nature.
To sit in this field and watch the myriad of life that is bustling and working around us is nothing short of a magical experience.
A Living Testament to the Resilience of Nature
This 20-acre slice of “relaxed” South Devon land stands as a living example of just how fast nature can recover its delicate balance.
By allowing nature to lead, we’ve witnessed the emergence of a thriving habitat that not only enhances the local environment but also serves as a model for ecological restoration.
It’s amazing to look at the stark contrast in our fields compared to the farmed fields around us; the thriving buzz of life is proof that if we allow nature the space it will take over and a myriad of biodiversity will quickly form.
Playing Our Part
The decline in biodiversity is a pressing issue, but it’s one that we can address through collective action. By making conscious choices in our gardens and supporting practices that prioritise ecological health, we can contribute to a more balanced and resilient environment. Together, we can create spaces that not only delight the senses but also support the many forms of life that make our world vibrant and resilient.
We’re committed to leading by example and supporting others in their journey towards creating gardens that will increase biodiversity.
Here are some statistics that bring the urgency of this issue to life:
Flying Insects Population
Studies indicate that the UK’s flying insect population has plummeted by 63% between 2021 and 2024, with an overall decline of more than 80% over the past two decades. A trajectory that, if continued, will see them almost completely gone in the next 10 years.
Le Monde.fr
Butterflies
This decline isn’t limited to insects. Butterflies, often considered indicators of environmental health, have experienced their worst year on record in 2024, following consecutive years of low counts. The reduction in these populations has cascading effects on our ecosystems, agriculture, and overall biodiversity.
The Guardian
The Cost to GDP
The UK ranks in the bottom 10% globally for biodiversity intactness.
Analysts warn that ongoing biodiversity degradation, through soil decline, pollution, poor water and pollination, could cost the UK economy 12% of GDP, rivalling the impact of COVID 19.
ox.ac.uk
Enhancing biodiveristy is part of a wider picture
We care deeply about sustainability and our impact on the world around us. All of our containerised trees are planted with peat-free compost and we do many other things to reduce our carbon impact.