Planning: how to help wildlife where you live

Simple ways to get involved with helping local wildlife

• At home and work, there are simple ways that you can take action for wildlife. Using less fossil fuel energy means fewer CO₂ emissions, contributing less to the climate change that is affecting our habitats and wildlife. Using less water means more water is available for wildlife in our rivers and streams.

• You can help to monitor wildlife by taking part in Opal's National Citizen Science Surveys and other regular bird, bug and butterfly counts. If you have an interest in a particular species consider going out with a local monitoring group, such as a bat or reptile group.  Look out for Bioblitz dates in our events calendar. 

• In your neighbourhood you can volunteer with BBOWT or other local environmental groups to look after local nature reserves and green spaces. You keep an eye out for damage in the natural environment and report it.
• You can check the habitat and species data for your area and that it's up to date on Defra's Magic Map. If you collect habitat or species records, submit them to your local environmental records centre.
• You can help us raise the profile of the local issues facing the natural world by campaigning for wildlife in your area. This could involve actively participating in our campaigns and/or as part of your Neighbourhood Planning team.
• You can also help to ensure that wildlife is taken into account in planning decisions in your area by responding to planning applications and consultations.

Find more simple actions you can take at home and at work to help the wildlife where you live.

See all actions

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