Letterkenny Community Gardens, the Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action at QUB and the Community Climate Action Working Group of Belfast Climate Commission are delighted to invite you to a co-hosted online workshop exploring practical ideas to help biodiversity in our homes, gardens and communities.

The land, air and seas are home to millions of plants and creatures, which interconnect and support each other to create the rich tapestry of life on Earth. This variety of life is known as biodiversity. Biodiversity can be seen and enjoyed anywhere there is nature, from gardens and window boxes to mountains and forests.

Unfortunately, the earth’s biodiversity is declining due to human activity and climate change; over 1 million species already face extinction, many within decades, unless action is taken to reduce drivers of biodiversity loss (IPBES, 2019). Pollution, deforestation, intensive agriculture and over-consumption of natural resources are severely impacting ecosystems both locally and globally. This affects all aspects of the environment including plants, insects and wildlife.Every species relies on others, so the loss of one creature can have a massive impact on many others. For example, without bees and other pollinators, we would struggle to grow fruits, vegetables, crops and flowers.

While it may be overwhelming to think about biodiversity loss, there are practical actions we can all take to make a difference. Many people taking small steps and communities engaging in local activities add up, helping to increase biodiversity in their local area. This workshop will provide useful ideas for individuals and groups who would like to learn more about improving local biodiversity. It will incorporate practical information from environmental organisations alongside opportunities to learn and share ideas in groups, exploring opportunities for greater collaboration.

Anyone interested in how they can help increase biodiversity is welcome to attend. 

For more information, please email seca@qub.ac.uk