Be Kind To Nature

Do something kind for wildlife on this Random Acts of Kindness Day.

For this year’s Random Acts of Kindness Day, Butterfly Conservation (BC) are celebrating the Year of Green Action (YOGA) with a list of 10 simple but inspiring ways you can engage with wildlife and the environment in 2019.

1. Start saving water
   Many of us love a long, warm shower but each minute spent uses gallons of water. To avoid this, you could shorten your showers by a few minutes.  You could even get yourself a waterproof shower clock which is a great environmentally conscious investment that helps you not only save the planet but money too.
   
   Wetlands are an important habitat for some of our rarest species.
    

   

2. Flip the switch.
   Remember to turn off electronic appliances when not in use, especially personal computers and games consoles, which use a lot of energy. With so many things to do, it's so easy to forget to turn things off but it can make a big difference.
   
   Excessive use of light can also have an impact on moths.
   
    

3. 

   Remember to Recycle.
   Found a piece of rubbish on your walk? Plastic litter causes the deaths of thousands of marine mammals and birds each year according to The United Nations Environment Programme.
   Pick up and properly dispose of rubbish and recyclables, even if they aren't yours.
   
   This only takes a second and through this small act you can make a big difference and is a great example of a selfless environmentally friendly act.
   It’s best to avoid waste in the first place, so think more carefully about your purchases. Re-using items saves the natural resources and energy needed to manufacture new ones - as well as saving money. By removing it from your local beaches, parks, and streets can help keep plastics out of the ocean and protect the lives of marine animals.
   
    

4. 

   Embrace the outdoors.
   Research suggests that spending time in nature watching wildlife, taking a walk or even doing some gardening can have positive benefits for mental health and wellbeing; so you can do good for nature and reap the rewards for yourself.
   
   Spot a butterfly on your walk? Take some time out and contribute to conservation by logging your sighting.
   
   Download our free iRecord app.
   
    

5. 

   Reduce your carbon footprint.
   One of the most serious threats to wildlife is pollution: carbon dioxide emissions cause oceans to become more acidic which endangers already struggling marine life and polluted air poses a serious risk to our own physical health.
   By turning down the dial of your thermostat just a tad and using your car only when absolutely necessary, you can help reduce the impact of greenhouse gases and do your part to decelerate the pace of global warming.
   
   Discover the impact of climate change on butterflies and moths.
   
    

6. 

   Plan a wildlife garden.
   Gardening with butterflies and moths in mind is one of the most rewarding things you can do in your own backyard and it can be easy too. By simply growing a few choice plants and providing butterflies and moths with a garden refuge, you can make a huge difference. Don't feel daunted, our Gardening page is packed with tricks and tips to get you started.
   
   Create a butterfly and moth haven today
   
    

7. 

   Volunteer.
   Without the work of volunteers, we would not be able to save butterflies and moths. .With 32 branches of Butterfly Conservation across the UK there is a wide range of opportunities for people who would like to get involved, whatever their age or experience.
   
   See our events page to find a work party near you
   
    

8. 

   Be thoughtful to wildlife.
   Remember to be respectful of all the wild animals and plants you see by observing at a distance and leaving no trace of your visit.
   
   Not only can you put yourself in danger by approaching wildlife or venturing off reserve paths, but you could also harm the animal itself.  Making loud, unfamiliar noises can stress wildlife and even cause them to flee from their home. Enjoy the natural beauty of the outdoors have fun but remember to be kind to the environment.
   
   Visit your nearest butterfly and moth reserve.
   
    

9. 

   Support.
   If you want to help the environment but are not sure how then why not chose to support a charity close to your heart.
   
   By fundraising for Butterfly Conservation you can help prevent the extinction of our butterflies and moths. Whatever your plans, the money you raise will make a real difference to the long-term future of threatened wildlife
   
   Donate today.
   
    

10. 

    Get Heard.
    The environment gets very little coverage on the news, in politics and even in our day-to-day conversations. It is time for that to change. By spreading the word about the threats that climate change poses and the opportunities that arise when action is taken, the environment can start to get the attention it needs.
    
    So, talk to your friends, neighbours and colleagues, use social media, and make your voice heard by businesses and leaders to ensure they are doing all that they can to protect our planet and all species that live on it.
    
    Join us in connecting with young conservationists across the UK to promote the #iwill4nature campaign which encourages 10-20 year-olds to interact with nature and take green action. Spread the word on social media by using #YearofGreenAction and #iwill4nature to see how others have taken part.

Andrew Cooper 
Follow Andrew on twitter - @AndrewCooperBC