The Wildlife Friendly Garden Competition, run by Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) and sponsored by the Gardens Group of Sherborne and Poundbury, is returning for its seventh year.
The competition aims to recognise gardeners who have gone the extra mile to care for their garden and the wildlife in it. Anyone can enter the competition – whether you are an individual, school group or community group, with a big or small garden.
DWT Community Conservation Officer and Wildlife Friendly Garden Competition event organiser explains more: “The total area of gardens in Britain is larger than the total area of national parks, so what you do in your garden is crucial. You don’t even have to be a ‘gardener’ to make a wildlife garden! There are some very small, simple changes you can make that will make a big difference to wildlife. This competition is always really popular, and now for the first time you can apply online, so we’re looking forward to receiving lots of entries!”
Mike Burks, Managing Director of The Gardens Group, said, “Each year the bar is raised, as previous entrants use the judges’ feedback to make improvements that mean their gardens are even more wildlife friendly. We also see many new entrants each year, as more people continue to become inspired by how much they can do to help protect our wildlife. The competition is all about encouraging everyone to do their best to nurture wildlife in their gardens, no matter how large or small, and I take great pleasure in seeing how much impact our wildlife friendly gardeners are having.”
Judges who will visit the gardens shortlisted, will be looking to see how much thought and effort has been put into creating habitats for wildlife. Features such as a pond, a bird box, a long grass area, or a compost heap are just some ideas to help garden wildlife. This year extra marks will be given to gardens with features to help pollinators, such as nectar-rich plants and to those who garden in the most sustainable way, by recycling, not using pesticides or creating a compost.
There is also a special category for rented properties and Housing Association Tennents, who may not be able to make structural changes to their garden, but are still gardening for wildlife.
Entries to the competition close on 29thApril 2016. All entries are free, and you can apply online at www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/wfgc. Everyone who enters* will be invited to an awards ceremony at Castle Gardens in Sherborne (date to be announced). Prizes kindly donated by the Gardens Group include a wildlife friendly selection of products, gardening vouchers, books and a winners’ plaque.
Join wildlife gardening expert Briony Baxter at the Kingcombe Centre for a wildlife gardening workshop from Monday 6thJune – Thursday 9thJune 2016 for a tour of the best wildlife gardens in Dorset. Visit www.kingcombe.org to find out more and book.
