OUGD504 - Guidebook Research - Wildlife Gardening and Target Audience

Understanding Wildlife - Gardening and who is interested in it

Wildlife gardening aims to encourage wildlife into gardens by getting people to make small changes in their gardens. This has developed from a concern about the environment and how we have effected it. Many naturally occurring British habitats are in decline due to modern developments such as building and farming techniques which have a large impact on the populations of native wildlife due to destruction of habitats.

To combat this wildlife gardening considers individual gardens as part of a wider network of green spaces. It is said that there are 15 million gardens within the UK, 667, 000 acres which can be used in combination to create a home for Britain's wildlife.  This suggests that small changes within gardens can make a big difference to the wildlife that comes to our gardens whilst providing a solution to declining natural habitats in the larger ecosystem.

Gardening in this way can be as simple or difficult as the person wants and is appropriate for any sized space making it accessible and adaptable to individuals and their gardens.Larger habitats are mimicked on a smaller scale to encourage a range of wildlife, with the aim of bringing wildlife back to gardens and to recreate wildlife's declining natural habitats.

This type of approach is a branch of organic gardening which uses naturally occuring alternatives to pest and weed control, rather than using chemicals, which harm the wider food chain.

Wildlife gardening dispels the idea that a garden has to be untidy to encourage wildlife or that it is high maintenance to do so, instead there can be a balance between the needs of animals and humans. There is a focus on providing food, shelter and breeding opportunities for a range of wildlife, whilst educating about the importance of natural cycles (e.g. seasons), ecosystems and foodchains that wildlife need in order to survive.  

Not garden specific - An interest in wildlife gardening is not dependent on garden size or type, as many of the principles can be adapted to different sizes or styles of garden. As well as in conventional gardens, attracting wildlife to urban settings in cities has become popular with the increased understanding of the effects of development on wildlife and human health creating a need for wildlife and green space as an escape and for wellbeing. There are many projects for small spaces such as window boxes for people with no gardens or freestanding ponds and containers for outdoor spaces that can't be adapted.

Families - Wildlife gardening is a family friendly activity and a good way to get children involved and be educated about nature. Some books about the subject, although targeted at adults have activities for children as well, suggesting that parents are using gardening as a way of playing and spending time as a family. Many guidebooks on the subject with projects are easy to do, making them family friendly and worded so that they are understandable to beginners and experienced gardeners.

Educational - This type of gardening allows people to be educated about the effects we can have on the environment by highlighting the connections between animals, making them more conscious of how disrupting one aspect of the foodchain or habitat can lead to wider problems.  

Concern about the environment - An interest in wildlife gardening stems from a concern about the environment and habitat loss, both on a local and potentially world level, with this type of gardening focusing on sustainability and encouraging organic approaches, reducing the need for imported and raw materials e.g. compost.

For enjoyment and aesthetics - Attracting wildlife into gardens allows people to interact and appreciate wildlife which they may not otherwise see which brings enjoyment and pleasure increasing wellbeing. Many of the ways of encouraging wildlife e.g. planting year round flowers etc brings colour and interest to a garden which is aesthetic as well as beneficial to wildlife.

For  people with lots or a little bit of time - Wildlife gardening is suitable for people who have little time as there are many quick and simple ways of either modifying aspects of a garden or creating new habitats.

The elderly - Many of the projects and ideas suggested can be adapted making this type of gardening appropriate for the elderly as well as children, who have a range of different physical abilities, knowledge, aspirations and financial restraints. Pilot projects by the RSPB and Bupa which have created wildlife friendly gardens in care homes have allowed residents to get involved in all stages of development from simple tasks such feeding the birds to more laborious tasks such as helping move soil etc to build the garden. People with dementia benefited as they were able to participate in physical tasks with families noticing a difference. Having a garden gave the residents a specific reason to go out as there are constant things that need doing giving them a purpose. It was also suggested care homes with a place where residents could relax and enjoy nature led to higher satisfaction rates in the homes they were in.

Considerations for the Guidebook

- needs to contain activities appropriate and adaptable for a range of gardens
- activities should not be expensive to undertake and use easily available materials 

- writing should suggest and provide ideas allowing the projects to be adapted to the users space 

- should provide a variety of images to show the benefits of the activity in terms of wildlife, as well as examples of the activity in context to show the end goal 

- images for each activity should clearly illustrate the aim of the project at a glance allowing for content to be understood whist flicking through the book, improving ease of use.

- language and activities should be appropriate for both people with no experience of gardening as well as enthusiasts

- stock should be from a sustainable source to reflect the topics concern for the environment e.g. FSC paper 

- potentially using glossy stock would increase the vibrancy of the images making it more impactful and inspiring whereas matt stock has more of a grain reflecting an organic and natural quality. 

- the size of the book should be compact to create a 'handbook' of ideas 

- information and language should be easy to understand with jargon kept to a minimum or explained if neccessary 

- content for each activity should be limited to a page or double page spread for engaging, concise and easy understanding 

- activities could be grouped into similar content e.g. planting or shelters etc allowing for a natural continuation throughout the book as well as helping the user find what they are looking for

Garden Wildlife: How to attract Bees, Butterflies, Insects, Birds, Frogs and Animals into your backyard by Christine and Michael Lavelle 

Wildlife Habitats for your Garden by Josie Briggs  

101 Ideas for a Wildlife - Friendly Garden by Michael Lavelle

http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/gardening 

http://wildaboutgardensweek.org.uk/Downloads
https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/blog/green-spaces-bupa-rspb-partnership-care-home