A promise for nature

Planting flowers that attract our chief pollinators like bees and butterflies, is a great way to help nature

After a year where our outdoor spaces proved vital to us all, we are looking at lots of different ways everyone can make a promise for nature, be it big or small, it all helps. Read on to discover how you can help nature at home, when you spend time in your local outdoor space or other simple ideas to give nature a helping hand.

Whether it’s building a bug hotel or reducing your carbon footprint, we can work together to take care of nature and animals and make a difference to the places we all live side by side in.

We want to engage as many people as possible over the next years to develop an ongoing promise to nature, be it big or small – it all helps and makes a difference. After a year where are outdoor spaces provided hope, inspiration and an escape from our 'new normal' what better way to show the love in the new year then with a promise to nature. Over the coming year we will be showing you lots of ways everyone can carry out their promise for nature. We will start with some ideas below and lots more pictures and videos over our @peakdistrictnt social media channels, so please give us a follow and get inspired to help nature. We’ll be looking at lots of ways our staff and volunteers are already helping nature, things we can all do at home and ways we can look after the landscapes we all love to spend time in.

Get friends and family together to plant wildflower seeds or bulbs in your garden
Get friends and family together to plant wildflower seeds or bulbs in your garden
Get friends and family together to plant wildflower seeds or bulbs in your garden

From leaving a corner in your garden to grow wild, to shopping locally, together we can continue to take care of the precious environment around us and the animals that call it home. Everyone needs nature for so many reasons but at the same time, nature needs all of us to care for it and help it thrive not just survive. The quote from Jarvis Cocker that inspired the name of our BE KINDER project, rings true as we all try to do better for nature:

‘the landscape belongs to everyone - whilst making the point that the preservation of the landscape has now become EVERYONE'S responsibility.

Be kind to the landscape.

Be kind to the environment.

Then stop, close your eyes for a moment and think of how to be kinder.

To Be Kinder.

Thank you.’

Have a go at making a bug hotel in your garden or community plot
Have a go at making a bug hotel in your garden or community plot
Have a go at making a bug hotel in your garden or community plot

Here are some ideas to get you started: build a bug hotel, plant wildflowers in your garden, letting the grass grow and take time out to listen to the birds singing. Why not choose a reusable water bottle - take it everywhere you go and refill it, if you’re feeling ambitious try and grow vegetables and herbs in your own garden, window box or plot and help to keep birds that nest on the ground safe by keeping your dog on a lead.

Walking with your dog on a lead will help to keep nature safe when out exploring
Walking with your dog on a lead will help to keep nature safe when out exploring
Walking with your dog on a lead will help to keep nature safe when out exploring

Be inspired to look after the places that you love and that have helped to support our health and welbeing through some incredibly difficult times. Little acts of kindness to nature, make a big difference in the long run and encourages other people to do the same. From all of us across the Peak District we wish you a happy, healthy and safe New Year.