Stockport has a wealth of parks and green spaces. They are great places for health and recreation, as well as being havens for wildlife and biodiversity.
Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you'll find in one area including wildlife, their habitats, and the connections between them. Biodiversity is declining because of:
- pollution
- intensive agriculture
- climate change
It’s more important than ever that our natural environment is protected and improved.
In March 2019 we declared a climate emergency and developed a Climate Action Plan.
There are lots of ways that you can help us to protect and increase biodiversity in Stockport:
- put up a wildlife box: birds and bats will readily nest/roost within manmade boxes. Remember to locate boxes away from predators such as cats. An insect box or bug house is a great way to help bees, butterflies and other invertebrates
- create a pond: ponds provide a home, or feeding site, for many wildlife species including amphibians, invertebrates and birds. Include shallow edges or a well-placed pile of stones/logs to allow creatures to access the pond. If you cannot create a pond, a bog garden is a good alternative and can be just as valuable to wildlife
- plant wildflowers: our native wildflowers are beautiful and are an important nectar source for bees, butterflies and other pollinator species. You could create a wildflower meadow area, or if space is limited, grow wildflowers in pots or a window box. Choose different wildflower species to try and have something in bloom from early spring through to late autumn
- plant trees and hedges: they offer shelter to many wildlife species and help link up habitats. Choose native species where possible, particularly those which produce fruits and berries, an important food source for many birds and mammals
- make wildlife gaps: link up habitats by making holes in the base, or underneath, garden fences and walls to allow wildlife, such as hedgehogs to pass through. A gap 13cm by 13cm is big enough for hedgehogs, but too small for most pets
- use peat free compost: peat is extracted from peat bogs. These are fragile habitats which take thousands of years to form. Use good quality peat free composts available, or make your own from garden waste
- help look after your local park or green space
- visit our local parks and green spaces and tell us what you see. It's important we build up a picture of wildlife across Stockport to help us protect it