Advocacy Activities for Platinum Award

Looking after your garden for wildlife is a big step. Recording the effects of your efforts should give you satisfaction and will make a contribution to conservation efforts. However, encouraging others to appreciate and look after nature in their own spaces and beyond could multiply the effects many times. This is why to reach the platinum level an “advocacy activity’ is specified. But what might this look like?

Some examples are already going on in Combe Down, Monkton Combe and Southstoke:

Nick has invited neighbours to his garden to show them how he is gardening in a wildlife friendly way, especially in relation to growing fruit and veg.
Jenny has written a blog about a garden moth trapping event to encourage others to join in.
Christine has led a flower walk to show a small group where some of the more reclusive orchids of the area live.
Mark is willing to be a garden ambassador, visiting people in their gardens to encourage them and validate their gold or platinum gardening for wildlife awards.
Rosie is an active contributor (a rising star!) on the Wild about Bath Facebook group page, leading others to participate.
John and Ursula have an ‘open garden’ on a regular basis, where anybody can drop in, chat, look round and benefit from their knowledge acquired over many years.
David shares his photos of what is happening on his land on social media so that others can look out for it in their own gardens and is a well known source of practical advice.

If you are in doubt as to whether the activity you are planning or already involved with would count as an advocacy activity for the platinum award, contact us to check.

By Ann Stuart