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If you're considering whether to #DoNothingForNature, or trying to convince your friends, family, or work colleagues to get on board too, here are some facts about overwintering butterflies and moths to help you discover more about different species and their wintery hidden homes.

So, you’re committed to #DoNothingForNature? Well firstly, thank you! This is such an important part of the year for every species of butterfly and moth, no matter what stage in their lifecycle they are and it’s incredibly important we let them rest and keep them safe so they can make it through the winter. Instead of heading out there and tidying up, grab a brew and read on to learn the best ways to help butterflies and moths this winter.

The Secret Gardener kicks off the year with their tips for using old Christmas trees to create habitat for wildlife in your garden.

The result's of this year's Bugs Matter Citizen Science Survey have been revealed, showing a 64% decline in insect numbers sampled on vehicle number plates between 2004 and 2022 across the UK.

Not sure what to get your favourite people this year? Whether it’s your garden-enthusiast dad, Lepidoptera-loving partner, or ever-curious grandchildren, there really is something for everyone on offer. Check out the options below to find a meaningful gift this Christmas that will also help us carry out the vital work we do.

We need the Government to set the framework in policy, legislation - there has to be a fundamental change in how we view our relationship with the natural world and how we support nature’s recovery.
 

He might not have always had a passion for butterflies, but broadcaster and author Frank Gardner has always had an instinct to protect them.

The royal hunting grounds, Rockingham Forest, established in Norman times, was selected for the reintroduction of the Chequered Skipper with the last record of this butterfly in England dating back to 1976.

Every year National Tree Week is an opportunity to celebrate trees and woods in the UK and heralds the start of the tree planting season. So more trees would be good, no? Well, yes, but!  
 

As moths rely on external sources of heat to warm their bodies, these chilly winter months mean most Lepidoptera are forced to remain inactive. But as always there are a few exceptions to the rule...

Huw Pennell, one of Butterfly Conservation's volunteers in Edinburgh, shares the story of the creation of his urban wildflower meadow.

With very limited recorded sightings in the last 100 years, the rare Crimson Speckled has made some thrilling appearances this autumn.
 

Starting in August we ran another series of family-friendly engagement events, all three of these were in urban areas. These events enabled us to have a voice in urban communities which are close to our project area, better engage with a different demographic, and help encourage people to re-engage with nearby green spaces. 

Due to changes in land management the Wood White butterfly suffered a steep decline in distribution and abundance of -89% since the 1970s. There were, however, glimmers of hope for this species as Butterfly Conservation reported in 2020 that the number of occupied sites had increased since 2010 by an astounding 117% in short-term abundance between 2011 and 2020.

This year we ran events above and beyond our Chequered Skipper guided walks, and you may have seen us at various locations throughout the regions surrounding Rockingham Forest! Here we wanted to share a little bit more about what has been happening at these events from June through to August and why they are so valuable.

The Sussex Emerald moth has been found living away from its coastal shingle habitat for the first time. Three individual moths were spotted at Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve in July, over 20 kilometres away from their nearest known breeding site.

Dr Phil Sterling, Building Sites for Butterflies Programme Manager and a keen moth enthusiast discusses his best advice when going moth trapping.
 

Hear from Dr Zoë Randle, Senior Surveys Officer, and moth-fan on why it is that moths are declining, and what BC is doing to help reverse this. The role of these magnificent creatures in our ecosystem is also discussed, as well as what Zoë thinks of people who aren’t interested in them!
 

The story of the Tiree Twist, a dainty moth with creamy white body and contrastingly brown band across the wings, is one wrapped in mystery…

Moths provide a vital resource in the ecosystem, including being part of the food chain for other animals to snack on. While plenty of people view moths as the drab, bland-looking relatives of butterflies, plenty of moths are beaming with colour. For those creatures higher in the food chain, moths are an absolute feast for the eyes (as well as their tummies).

We hear from Dr Phil Sterling, Building Sites for Butterflies Programme Manager and keen moth-er on how he became interested in the species and what they mean to him.

In January 2022, for the first time since the Chequered Skipper reintroduction in 2018, the release site was made public and so during the flight season of this exciting small butterfly, our rangers ran daily guided walks (weather permitting) to help spot this elusive species.
 

Bryony Benge-Abbott is an interdisciplinary artist working closely with scientists, activists and community groups to explore our relationship to the natural world. Her latest project, The Colour of Transformation, is partnered by Butterfly Conservation and the William Morris Gallery and shares new perspectives on nature inspired by the stories of Global Majority women pioneers working in conservation, natural history and the outdoors.

Dr Phil Sterling is an expert on moths, and author of several books on moths and their caterpillars. We asked him ‘are there any moths that stump you when trying to identify them?’ and his response reveals all. 

The weird and wonderful world of moths is so bustling full of facts that many people don’t know! Gone are the days they are regarded as the dull underdog to the butterfly! Here are 12 magnificent moth facts that show you how amazing these creatures are.

We interviewed George Tordoff, one of our resident moth experts on his role at Butterfly Conservation and explore what he loves about moths.

Moths have experienced worrying declines over the past 40 years with several species even becoming extinct in the UK. Sadly, the numbers of many species continue to decline, and it may start feel like there is nothing that can be done…but this is abundantly not true - not on our watch. Butterfly Conservation works across the disciplines of conservation, research science, recording, and education, all of which help prevent moth species from further declines, and even extinction.

In her speech to the Conservative Party Conference the Prime Minister, Liz Truss, accused environmentalists of being part of the “anti-growth coalition”. But what is growth and how does a policy of “growth, growth, growth” contribute to a sustainable future for all?

We get to know Dr Zoë Randle, Senior Surveys Officer for Butterfly Conservation, and explore her role in Big Butterfly Count as well as her passion for moths and butterflies.

The field of conservation is not yet fully representative of society. For Black History Month we've collated a range of conservation groups and networks that can help black people connect with nature and explore this field further.