How Homeowners Can Help Protect Their Local Environment And Wildlife
Everyone has a responsibility for the environment. We all share the planet and our local areas, not just with one another but with plant life and animal life too. There are many things homeowners can do to help take care of the environment, limit their impact on wildlife, and protect the local ecology.
Live Sympathetically To Local Wildlife
You can be forgiven for never giving much thought to the wildlife that lives around you. Whether you know it or not, you are living alongside birds, insects, and animals. Every species has a role to play in nature, and by disrupting the lifecycle and habitats of the creatures we share our spaces with, we disrupt the natural world.
The United Kingdom is home to millions of unique species of plants, insects, birds, and many other types of animals. The biodiversity of the nation is one of its greatest natural assets, yet we often take it for granted or barely give it a thought. We need to live and work with nature to protect it for future generations to enjoy. Homeowners have a part to play in this, just as industry and government do.
Before conducting any building work, such as a property extension or constructing a new outbuilding, you should have your property surveyed by experts to assess the impact the project will have on the surrounding environment. Bats are a common species in the UK and can inhabit both rural and suburban areas. You may be required to hire bat surveyors to conduct an assessmenthire bat surveyors to conduct an assessment of your property before building work can commence.
Batsurveys.co.uk can help. Their qualified and experienced bat surveyors can conduct a quick and accurate survey of your property, looking for roosting spots and signs of bat habitats. This can prevent you from disturbing the natural habitat of one of the UK’s most important animals, some species of which are endangered.
Encourage Your Local Wildlife To Thrive
Manicured and landscaped outdoor spaces are popular with many homeowners, but despite their attractiveness, these areas are often underutilized. A well-appointed garden may provide a nice view from the back window, but it does not provide much of a home for local wildlife. You can turn your back garden into a sanctuary for local species and a hive of activity.
By working with nature and taking steps that will help promote the growth of local species of plants and increase the number of insects and animals in the area, you are giving something back to the land. This not only benefits the ecology of the area you live in, but it also provides you with a peaceful place where you can go to reconnect with the natural world.
Letting your garden go wild can also provide an opportunity to grow your own food. The UK is known throughout the world for its wild fruits and berries. By allowing brambles and bushes to take over your garden, you will be rewarded with edible treats like rosehips, rowan, and blackberries.
If you are a fan of nature and a keen birdwatcher, you will be able to get even more enjoyment from a wild garden. The birds and animals that this type of garden attracts will keep you busy all year round, watching the changes in the species of birds and animals you see change with the seasons.
Re-Use, Re-Cycle, Re-Invent
One of the biggest impacts a house has on both its local and the global environment is its waste. By reusing and recycling, you can cut down on the amount of refuse and waste your home produces and lessen the impact your home and home life have on the environment. Most local councils have recycling collections that can take care of most of your recyclable waste, but UK homes are still recycling less than half of their household waste.
The most effective way to reduce the amount of refuse sent to landfill is to cut down on the number of products and packaging you bring into the home. When you are buying items at the supermarket or from an online store, consider the household waste it will generate and search for low-waste alternatives.
Plastic milk and juice bottles are mostly recyclable, but switching to a local milk delivery service is much more environmentally friendly and sustainable. Glass milk and juice bottles are washed and reused, and milk floats are electric vehicles. Reusing these bottles is much more sustainable than recycling plastic ones.
Upcycling and reinventing furniture or unwanted products are much better for the planet than throwing them away. Find new uses for things instead of disposing of them and buying something new. Constant consumption is wreaking havoc on our local and global ecology. Using less and reusing more is the key to living sustainably.
Generate Your Own Power
Switching to home solar power or ground-source home heating is an investment that helps pay for itself and will help preserve the planet for future generations. Solar panels are becoming a common sight on the roofs of homes across the country, in cities, suburbs, and rural areas.
Though many people will not think of sunshine when they think of British weather, there is more than enough sunlight on an average day to power your home. Paring solar panels with home battery storage is game-changing. Using batteries similar to those that power electric vehicles, home batteries store the electricity generated by solar panels during the day for the home to use during the night.
On sunny days you can generate enough electricity to power your home all day and night, making huge savings on energy bills and cutting down on your carbon footprint. With the right setup, you can even sell excess energy to the national grid and turn your home solar panels into a revenue stream.
Making these changes and taking these steps is a part of responsible homeownership. Everyone has a duty to protect and encourage local flora and fauna and to provide adequate habitats for local wildlife to help preserve them for future generations.
