Mighty oaks from little acorns grow

By Matt Rich

Ranger, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

“Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action.” Walter Anderson

Who doesn’t love nature? Even if you don’t like going out and getting dirty, I would question anyone who isn’t enthralled by Sir David Attenborough and his amazing team making shows for the BBC. We are a nature loving country at heart, with people who love and want to care for the world around them. Sometimes it’s all too easy for time, money, effort to get in the way, but even the smallest action can make a big difference.

Nature is struggling at all levels, which means there are many ways you can potentially help. For example, you might not be a fan of spiders or wasps, but you love birds and mammals. It’s important to protect the food they eat, and insects are a big part of that. It’s difficult to be faced with so much doom and gloom about the natural world right now, and the enormity of the task, that it can almost stop us in our tracks.

However, taking some small positive steps not only gives nature a helping hand, but it will also allow you to make a connection with the environment, that can ease climate anxiety.

A few ideas to get you started could be to:

• Make a mini nature reserve - see above
• Scatter wildflower seeds to create a space for pollinators.
• Create a bug hotel or hibernaculum for reptiles using anything from logs and branches to bricks and rocks.
• Use insect-friendly products – avoid weed killer and other nasty chemical sprays
• In the summer, leave out accessible water for animals and add small pebbles in ponds for insects to rest on 
• Read this blog on how one person made their garden super wildlife friendly.
• Keep the early weeds in your garden as the queen bees rely heavily on them.
• Here's loads of tips to Go Wild At Home
• Resist the lawnmower, favouring a more natural lawn.
• Attend a course to learn more about wildlife – we have lots on every month.

Pass on the message to friends and family – suggest ways they can be more environmentally aware and see if their words turn into action.