THE RSPB and local housebuilder David Wilson Homes Southern are urging residents to give their gardens a makeover to aid nature and wildlife.

Sadly, nature in the UK is in trouble, having lost 38 million birds over the last 50 years, with house sparrows, starlings and song thrushes all considered birds of conservation concern. With a 76% decline in butterflies and the loss of a third of urban hedgehogs since 2000, wildlife needs a helping hand.

The RSPB has produced a handy new guide to getting started, packed with simple, low-cost hints and tips on how to make a space great for people and nature. The guide also provides homeowners advice on how best to give nature a home in gardens, balconies, and even windows.

Winter is an excellent time to start planning and digging so that when spring arrives the following year, homeowners will have a lovely spot to enjoy while also creating a wildlife haven.

Since 2014, the RSPB and David Wilson Homes have collaborated to highlight how new homes can benefit nature and support wildlife.

The RSPB is urging householders to use the hashtag #NatureGardenChallenge on social media, the new Facebook Group, and the online community to share their mini-makeover stories and experiences.

Sarah Brompton, RSPB Actions for Nature Project Manager, said: “There are so many ways we can all be using our outdoor spaces to give nature a home, whether that’s by planting plants for pollinators or making a bug hotel. And the great news is that it makes these places such a joy for us as well. Together we can make our outdoor spaces a true haven for us, and nature.”

Campbell Gregg, Managing Director of David Wilson Homes Southern, said: “One of the easiest ways to help wildlife is on your doorstep. We want to help new homeowners with information and guidance on how they can turn their blank canvas gardens into something wonderful that will look beautiful and help nature too."

To turn an outside space into a paradise for both homeowner and wildlife, please go to: www.rspb.org.uk/yourdoorstep or www.dwh.co.uk/campaigns/providing-a-home-for-nature-to-thrive-in/.