UNIQUE HAVENS

These days there is a huge resurgence of interest in wildlife,but few of us actually know how to encourage ‘biodiversity’into our surroundings. Areas around our churches,graveyards, cemeteries and crematoria are often undisturbed‘islands’ in a predominately urban or agriculturalneighbourhood. These islands have become very importanthabitats safeguarding our few remaining wildflowergrasslands, mature trees, old hedges and lichen-covered walls.They have become living sanctuaries for our once-commonbirds, bats, butterflies and wildflowers. The way we care forthese havens shows our respect not only for the restingplace of the dead, but also for life and all living things.

GREEN KIRK & GRAVEYARD

INITIATIVE

In Tayside this Initiative will encourage a simple review ofour burial grounds and kirkyards to see how they can beenhanced for biodiversity. Even kirks with just a gravelperimeter can be part of the Initiative – wildlife can still beencouraged with hanging baskets, window boxes, or tubs ofherbs or shrubs.

Several pilot projects have been set up in Angus, DundeeCity, and Perth and Kinross. There is also an area set asideat Birkhill Cemetery as a Woodland Burial site. Anyoneinterested in ‘greening’ their kirkyard is encouraged toregister their interest. We are working with Eco-Congregation Scotland, an ecumenical programme, whichlinks our local projects to a wider remit. Urban or rural,everyone is welcome to join the Initiative.

SPREADING THE WORD

It’s important to involve as many local people as possible sothat proposed changes can be fully discussed. Include a‘Green Kirk and Graveyard’ column in the church newsletteror promote local interest by preparing your own leaflet orguide. Encourage everyone to collect sightings of wildlife.Ask for a copy of the Initiative’s poster to display in thechurch porch, village hall or local post office.

WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY?It simply means “thevariety of all livingthings”: it includesthe tiniest insects andthe largest trees -and us.

NEXT - PLAN

THE FUTUREInvolve the local community. Spend timecollecting the survey information andmaking sense of it.

A Kirk and Graveyard Biodiversity ActionPlanmight be appropriate. This willinclude a ‘management’ section. Advice isavailable from many sources: your localRanger Service, Scottish Wildlife Trust, theLocal Authority Tree or WoodlandOfficers, Tayside Biodiversity Partnership -and of course specialist organisationssuch as Butterfly Conservation Scotland,Bat Conservation Trust, the Royal Societyfor the Protection of Birds, British LichenSociety, or Concern for Swifts (Scotland).Scottish Natural Heritage’s “Garden for

Life” leaflets give advice on which plantsattract wildlife.

There may be sufficient voluntary helpavailable within the local community ornearby school, but if not there areseveral organisations that may be able tohelp with the work itself: the BritishTrust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCVScotland), various local ConservationVolunteer groups, or the CommunityService Volunteers (CSV).

Consider drawing up a ‘MaintenanceCalendar’ so that everyone can see whichmonths are going to be the busiest -this will help organise a work pro-gramme.

There will be opportunities to reportback all the work you carry out. Manyof the species and habitats present in

graveyards are listed in the UKBiodiversity Action Plan drawn up afterthe Rio Earth Summit in 1992. UK“Priority Species” such as Pipistrelle Bat,Song Thrush and Tree Sparrow and“Species of Conservation Concern” such asHedgehog, Brown Long-Eared Bat,Common Shrew, Greenfinch and WildHyacinth - not to mention many lesser-known fungi and lichens - all have tar-gets within the UKBAP and Tayside LocalBiodiversity Action Plan. The TaysideBiodiversity Partnership reports regularlyon local projects which help meet UKBAPtargets,soit really isa case of“everyactioncounts”.

FIRST - FIND OUT

WHAT’S THEREBefore any changes aremade, it is essential tofind out what is alreadythere. A simple plan ofthe graveyard or areaaround the kirkshould show the mainfeatures: paths inregular use, flowerborders, memorial areas,grass, trees, hedges,walls, little-used areas,etc.

SURVEY

List the different “habitats”:mown grass,longer grass, trees, shrubs, hedges, walls,

flower borders, compost heaps, dead wood.Include the old gravestones and tombs asthey are especially important for lichens,mosses and ferns. And don’t forget toinclude the church itself and any other

buildings – they may host bats or swifts.

Next, carry out a wildlife survey, i.e.mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians,

insects, plants, fungi.Put in everything youthink important, including geologicalfeatures or information about the

gravestones or architecture - the surveydoes not have to stop at just the wildlife.

ACTION!

Restoration or enhancement projectsbelong to anyone who wishes to getinvolved. There will still be a need to

regularly survey and monitor the wildlife,but there will also be opportunities forpractical work such as making bird, bator insect boxes, raking off cut grass,making compost, hedge planting or

trimming, planting nectar-rich herbs,flowers or shrubs, or making log piles. Most importantly - celebrate everyone’scontribution, acknowledge their input andinject some fun into all the effort!

TO REGISTER YOUR CHURCH, PLEASE SEND BRIEF

DETAILS TO:Catherine Lloyd, Biodiversity

Co-ordinator, Tayside BiodiversityPartnership, c/o Dundee City Council,

Floor 13, Tayside House, Dundee, DD1 3RATel: 01382 434000,

E-mail: tayside.biodiversity@ukf.netWeb: www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk.

You will receive a registration posterand survey forms

FURTHER INFORMATIONSNH Garden for Life Leaflets:

www.snh.org.uk Tel: 01738 444177Scottish Wildlife Trust:

www.swt.org.ukRSBP:

www.rspb.org.uk; Concern for Swifts Scotland: www.concernforswifts.com

Bat Conservation Trust:www.bats.org.uk

Butterfly Conservation Scotland:www.butterflyconservation.org

BTCV:www.btcv.org.uk

Eco-Congregation:www.eco-congregation.org/scotland

Mammals Trust UK:www.mtuk.org

Froglife:www.froglife.org

Buglife:www.buglife.org.uk

Bumblebee Conservation Trust:www.bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk

British Lichen Society:www.thebls.org.uk

CREDITSFront Cover Photograph: Simon Broad

Front Cover Design: Lynda RonaldOther Photographs: Catherine Lloyd,

Lynda Ronald, Perth & Kinross CouncilBat Conservation Trust © Hugh Clark.

Leaflet Text Compiled by Catherine Lloyd onbehalf of the Tayside Biodiversity

Partnership.

Leaflet funded by Perth & Kinross Council, AngusCouncil

and Scottish Natural Heritage

Tayside Biodiversity Partnership

Tayside

GreenKirk & Graveyard Initiative

This leaflet has been printed on 130g Revive SilkEnvironmentally Friendly Paper

UNIQUE HAVENS

These days there is a huge resurgence of interest in wildlife,but few of us actually know how to encourage ‘biodiversity’into our surroundings. Areas around our churches,graveyards, cemeteries and crematoria are often undisturbed‘islands’ in a predominately urban or agriculturalneighbourhood. These islands have become very importanthabitats safeguarding our few remaining wildflowergrasslands, mature trees, old hedges and lichen-covered walls.They have become living sanctuaries for our once-commonbirds, bats, butterflies and wildflowers. The way we care forthese havens shows our respect not only for the restingplace of the dead, but also for life and all living things.

GREEN KIRK & GRAVEYARD

INITIATIVE

In Tayside this Initiative will encourage a simple review ofour burial grounds and kirkyards to see how they can beenhanced for biodiversity. Even kirks with just a gravelperimeter can be part of the Initiative – wildlife can still beencouraged with hanging baskets, window boxes, or tubs ofherbs or shrubs.

Several pilot projects have been set up in Angus, DundeeCity, and Perth and Kinross. There is also an area set asideat Birkhill Cemetery as a Woodland Burial site. Anyoneinterested in ‘greening’ their kirkyard is encouraged toregister their interest. We are working with Eco-Congregation Scotland, an ecumenical programme, whichlinks our local projects to a wider remit. Urban or rural,everyone is welcome to join the Initiative.

SPREADING THE WORD

It’s important to involve as many local people as possible sothat proposed changes can be fully discussed. Include a‘Green Kirk and Graveyard’ column in the church newsletteror promote local interest by preparing your own leaflet orguide. Encourage everyone to collect sightings of wildlife.Ask for a copy of the Initiative’s poster to display in thechurch porch, village hall or local post office.

WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY?It simply means “thevariety of all livingthings”: it includesthe tiniest insects andthe largest trees -and us.

NEXT - PLAN

THE FUTUREInvolve the local community. Spend timecollecting the survey information andmaking sense of it.

A Kirk and Graveyard Biodiversity ActionPlan might be appropriate. This willinclude a ‘management’ section. Advice isavailable from many sources: your localRanger Service, Scottish Wildlife Trust, theLocal Authority Tree or WoodlandOfficers, Tayside Biodiversity Partnership -and of course specialist organisationssuch as Butterfly Conservation Scotland,Bat Conservation Trust, the Royal Societyfor the Protection of Birds, British LichenSociety, or Concern for Swifts (Scotland).Scottish Natural Heritage’s “Garden for

Life” leaflets give advice on which plantsattract wildlife.

There may be sufficient voluntary helpavailable within the local community ornearby school, but if not there areseveral organisations that may be able tohelp with the work itself: the BritishTrust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCVScotland), various local ConservationVolunteer groups, or the CommunityService Volunteers (CSV).

Consider drawing up a ‘MaintenanceCalendar’ so that everyone can see whichmonths are going to be the busiest -this will help organise a work pro-gramme.

There will be opportunities to reportback all the work you carry out. Manyof the species and habitats present in

graveyards are listed in the UKBiodiversity Action Plan drawn up afterthe Rio Earth Summit in 1992. UK“Priority Species” such as Pipistrelle Bat,Song Thrush and Tree Sparrow and“Species of Conservation Concern” such asHedgehog, Brown Long-Eared Bat,Common Shrew, Greenfinch and WildHyacinth - not to mention many lesser-known fungi and lichens - all have tar-gets within the UKBAP and Tayside LocalBiodiversity Action Plan. The TaysideBiodiversity Partnership reports regularlyon local projects which help meet UKBAPtargets, soit really isa case of“everyactioncounts”.

FIRST - FIND OUT

WHAT’S THEREBefore any changes aremade, it is essential tofind out what is alreadythere. A simple plan ofthe graveyard or areaaround the kirkshould show the mainfeatures: paths inregular use, flowerborders, memorial areas,grass, trees, hedges,walls, little-used areas,etc.

SURVEY

List the different “habitats”: mown grass,longer grass, trees, shrubs, hedges, walls,

flower borders, compost heaps, dead wood.Include the old gravestones and tombs asthey are especially important for lichens,mosses and ferns. And don’t forget toinclude the church itself and any other

buildings – they may host bats or swifts.

Next, carry out a wildlife survey, i.e.mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians,

insects, plants, fungi. Put in everything youthink important, including geologicalfeatures or information about the

gravestones or architecture - the surveydoes not have to stop at just the wildlife.

ACTION!

Restoration or enhancement projectsbelong to anyone who wishes to getinvolved. There will still be a need to

regularly survey and monitor the wildlife,but there will also be opportunities forpractical work such as making bird, bator insect boxes, raking off cut grass,making compost, hedge planting or

trimming, planting nectar-rich herbs,flowers or shrubs, or making log piles. Most importantly - celebrate everyone’scontribution, acknowledge their input andinject some fun into all the effort!

TO REGISTER YOUR CHURCH, PLEASE SEND BRIEF

DETAILS TO:Catherine Lloyd, Biodiversity

Co-ordinator, Tayside BiodiversityPartnership, c/o Dundee City Council,

Floor 13, Tayside House, Dundee, DD1 3RATel: 01382 434000,

E-mail:tayside.biodiversity@ukf.netWeb: www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk.

You will receive a registration posterand survey forms

FURTHER INFORMATIONSNH Garden for Life Leaflets:

www.snh.org.uk Tel: 01738 444177Scottish Wildlife Trust:

www.swt.org.ukRSBP:

www.rspb.org.uk; Concern for Swifts Scotland: www.concernforswifts.com

Bat Conservation Trust:www.bats.org.uk

Butterfly Conservation Scotland:www.butterflyconservation.org

BTCV:www.btcv.org.uk

Eco-Congregation:www.eco-congregation.org/scotland

Mammals Trust UK:www.mtuk.org

Froglife:www.froglife.org

Buglife:www.buglife.org.uk

Bumblebee Conservation Trust:www.bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk

British Lichen Society:www.thebls.org.uk

CREDITSFront Cover Photograph: Simon Broad

Front Cover Design: Lynda RonaldOther Photographs: Catherine Lloyd,

Lynda Ronald, Perth & Kinross CouncilBat Conservation Trust © Hugh Clark.

Leaflet Text Compiled by Catherine Lloyd onbehalf of the Tayside Biodiversity

Partnership.

Leaflet funded by Perth & Kinross Council, AngusCouncil

and Scottish Natural Heritage

Tayside Biodiversity Partnership

TaysideGreenKirk&GraveyardIni

tiative

This leaflet has been printed on 130g Revive SilkEnvironmentally Friendly Paper

UNIQUE HAVENS

These days there is a huge resurgence of interest in wildlife,but few of us actually know how to encourage ‘biodiversity’into our surroundings. Areas around our churches,graveyards, cemeteries and crematoria are often undisturbed‘islands’ in a predominately urban or agriculturalneighbourhood. These islands have become very importanthabitats safeguarding our few remaining wildflowergrasslands, mature trees, old hedges and lichen-covered walls.They have become living sanctuaries for our once-commonbirds, bats, butterflies and wildflowers. The way we care forthese havens shows our respect not only for the restingplace of the dead, but also for life and all living things.

GREEN KIRK & GRAVEYARD

INITIATIVE

In Tayside this Initiative will encourage a simple review ofour burial grounds and kirkyards to see how they can beenhanced for biodiversity. Even kirks with just a gravelperimeter can be part of the Initiative – wildlife can still beencouraged with hanging baskets, window boxes, or tubs ofherbs or shrubs.

Several pilot projects have been set up in Angus, DundeeCity, and Perth and Kinross. There is also an area set asideat Birkhill Cemetery as a Woodland Burial site. Anyoneinterested in ‘greening’ their kirkyard is encouraged toregister their interest. We are working with Eco-Congregation Scotland, an ecumenical programme, whichlinks our local projects to a wider remit. Urban or rural,everyone is welcome to join the Initiative.

SPREADING THE WORD

It’s important to involve as many local people as possible sothat proposed changes can be fully discussed. Include a‘Green Kirk and Graveyard’ column in the church newsletteror promote local interest by preparing your own leaflet orguide. Encourage everyone to collect sightings of wildlife.Ask for a copy of the Initiative’s poster to display in thechurch porch, village hall or local post office.

WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY?It simply means “thevariety of all livingthings”: it includesthe tiniest insects andthe largest trees -and us.

NEXT - PLAN

THE FUTUREInvolve the local community. Spend timecollecting the survey information andmaking sense of it.

A Kirk and Graveyard Biodiversity ActionPlan might be appropriate. This willinclude a ‘management’ section. Advice isavailable from many sources: your localRanger Service, Scottish Wildlife Trust, theLocal Authority Tree or WoodlandOfficers, Tayside Biodiversity Partnership -and of course specialist organisationssuch as Butterfly Conservation Scotland,Bat Conservation Trust, the Royal Societyfor the Protection of Birds, British LichenSociety, or Concern for Swifts (Scotland).Scottish Natural Heritage’s “Garden for

Life” leaflets give advice on which plantsattract wildlife.

There may be sufficient voluntary helpavailable within the local community ornearby school, but if not there areseveral organisations that may be able tohelp with the work itself: the BritishTrust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCVScotland), various local ConservationVolunteer groups, or the CommunityService Volunteers (CSV).

Consider drawing up a ‘MaintenanceCalendar’ so that everyone can see whichmonths are going to be the busiest -this will help organise a work pro-gramme.

There will be opportunities to reportback all the work you carry out. Manyof the species and habitats present in

graveyards are listed in the UKBiodiversity Action Plan drawn up afterthe Rio Earth Summit in 1992. UK“Priority Species” such as Pipistrelle Bat,Song Thrush and Tree Sparrow and“Species of Conservation Concern” such asHedgehog, Brown Long-Eared Bat,Common Shrew, Greenfinch and WildHyacinth - not to mention many lesser-known fungi and lichens - all have tar-gets within the UKBAP and Tayside LocalBiodiversity Action Plan. The TaysideBiodiversity Partnership reports regularlyon local projects which help meet UKBAPtargets, soit really isa case of“everyactioncounts”.

FIRST - FIND OUT

WHAT’S THEREBefore any changes aremade, it is essential tofind out what is alreadythere. A simple plan ofthe graveyard or areaaround the kirkshould show the mainfeatures: paths inregular use, flowerborders, memorial areas,grass, trees, hedges,walls, little-used areas,etc.

SURVEY

List the different “habitats”: mown grass,longer grass, trees, shrubs, hedges, walls,

flower borders, compost heaps, dead wood.Include the old gravestones and tombs asthey are especially important for lichens,mosses and ferns. And don’t forget toinclude the church itself and any other

buildings – they may host bats or swifts.

Next, carry out a wildlife survey, i.e.mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians,

insects, plants, fungi. Put in everything youthink important, including geologicalfeatures or information about the

gravestones or architecture - the surveydoes not have to stop at just the wildlife.

ACTION!

Restoration or enhancement projectsbelong to anyone who wishes to getinvolved. There will still be a need to

regularly survey and monitor the wildlife,but there will also be opportunities forpractical work such as making bird, bator insect boxes, raking off cut grass,making compost, hedge planting or

trimming, planting nectar-rich herbs,flowers or shrubs, or making log piles. Most importantly - celebrate everyone’scontribution, acknowledge their input andinject some fun into all the effort!

TO REGISTER YOUR CHURCH, PLEASE SEND BRIEF

DETAILS TO:Catherine Lloyd, Biodiversity

Co-ordinator, Tayside BiodiversityPartnership, c/o Dundee City Council,

Floor 13, Tayside House, Dundee, DD1 3RATel: 01382 434000,

E-mail:tayside.biodiversity@ukf.netWeb: www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk.

You will receive a registration posterand survey forms

FURTHER INFORMATIONSNH Garden for Life Leaflets:

www.snh.org.uk Tel: 01738 444177Scottish Wildlife Trust:

www.swt.org.ukRSBP:

www.rspb.org.uk; Concern for Swifts Scotland: www.concernforswifts.com

Bat Conservation Trust:www.bats.org.uk

Butterfly Conservation Scotland:www.butterflyconservation.org

BTCV:www.btcv.org.uk

Eco-Congregation:www.eco-congregation.org/scotland

Mammals Trust UK:www.mtuk.org

Froglife:www.froglife.org

Buglife:www.buglife.org.uk

Bumblebee Conservation Trust:www.bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk

British Lichen Society:www.thebls.org.uk

CREDITSFront Cover Photograph: Simon Broad

Front Cover Design: Lynda RonaldOther Photographs: Catherine Lloyd,

Lynda Ronald, Perth & Kinross CouncilBat Conservation Trust © Hugh Clark.

Leaflet Text Compiled by Catherine Lloyd onbehalf of the Tayside Biodiversity

Partnership.

Leaflet funded by Perth & Kinross Council, AngusCouncil

and Scottish Natural Heritage

Tayside Biodiversity Partnership

TaysideGreenKirk&GraveyardIni

tiative

This leaflet has been printed on 130g Revive SilkEnvironmentally Friendly Paper

UNIQUE HAVENS

These days there is a huge resurgence of interest in wildlife,but few of us actually know how to encourage ‘biodiversity’into our surroundings. Areas around our churches,graveyards, cemeteries and crematoria are often undisturbed‘islands’ in a predominately urban or agriculturalneighbourhood. These islands have become very importanthabitats safeguarding our few remaining wildflowergrasslands, mature trees, old hedges and lichen-covered walls.They have become living sanctuaries for our once-commonbirds, bats, butterflies and wildflowers. The way we care forthese havens shows our respect not only for the restingplace of the dead, but also for life and all living things.

GREEN KIRK & GRAVEYARD

INITIATIVE

In Tayside this Initiative will encourage a simple review ofour burial grounds and kirkyards to see how they can beenhanced for biodiversity. Even kirks with just a gravelperimeter can be part of the Initiative – wildlife can still beencouraged with hanging baskets, window boxes, or tubs ofherbs or shrubs.

Several pilot projects have been set up in Angus, DundeeCity, and Perth and Kinross. There is also an area set asideat Birkhill Cemetery as a Woodland Burial site. Anyoneinterested in ‘greening’ their kirkyard is encouraged toregister their interest. We are working with Eco-Congregation Scotland, an ecumenical programme, whichlinks our local projects to a wider remit. Urban or rural,everyone is welcome to join the Initiative.

SPREADING THE WORD

It’s important to involve as many local people as possible sothat proposed changes can be fully discussed. Include a‘Green Kirk and Graveyard’ column in the church newsletteror promote local interest by preparing your own leaflet orguide. Encourage everyone to collect sightings of wildlife.Ask for a copy of the Initiative’s poster to display in thechurch porch, village hall or local post office.

WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY?It simply means “thevariety of all livingthings”: it includesthe tiniest insects andthe largest trees -and us.

NEXT - PLAN

THE FUTUREInvolve the local community. Spend timecollecting the survey information andmaking sense of it.

A Kirk and Graveyard Biodiversity ActionPlanmight be appropriate. This willinclude a ‘management’ section. Advice isavailable from many sources: your localRanger Service, Scottish Wildlife Trust, theLocal Authority Tree or WoodlandOfficers, Tayside Biodiversity Partnership -and of course specialist organisationssuch as Butterfly Conservation Scotland,Bat Conservation Trust, the Royal Societyfor the Protection of Birds, British LichenSociety, or Concern for Swifts (Scotland).Scottish Natural Heritage’s “Garden for

Life” leaflets give advice on which plantsattract wildlife.

There may be sufficient voluntary helpavailable within the local community ornearby school, but if not there areseveral organisations that may be able tohelp with the work itself: the BritishTrust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCVScotland), various local ConservationVolunteer groups, or the CommunityService Volunteers (CSV).

Consider drawing up a ‘MaintenanceCalendar’ so that everyone can see whichmonths are going to be the busiest -this will help organise a work pro-gramme.

There will be opportunities to reportback all the work you carry out. Manyof the species and habitats present in

graveyards are listed in the UKBiodiversity Action Plan drawn up afterthe Rio Earth Summit in 1992. UK“Priority Species” such as Pipistrelle Bat,Song Thrush and Tree Sparrow and“Species of Conservation Concern” such asHedgehog, Brown Long-Eared Bat,Common Shrew, Greenfinch and WildHyacinth - not to mention many lesser-known fungi and lichens - all have tar-gets within the UKBAP and Tayside LocalBiodiversity Action Plan. The TaysideBiodiversity Partnership reports regularlyon local projects which help meet UKBAPtargets,soit really isa case of“everyactioncounts”.

FIRST - FIND OUT

WHAT’S THEREBefore any changes aremade, it is essential tofind out what is alreadythere. A simple plan ofthe graveyard or areaaround the kirkshould show the mainfeatures: paths inregular use, flowerborders, memorial areas,grass, trees, hedges,walls, little-used areas,etc.

SURVEY

List the different “habitats”:mown grass,longer grass, trees, shrubs, hedges, walls,

flower borders, compost heaps, dead wood.Include the old gravestones and tombs asthey are especially important for lichens,mosses and ferns. And don’t forget toinclude the church itself and any other

buildings – they may host bats or swifts.

Next, carry out a wildlife survey, i.e.mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians,

insects, plants, fungi.Put in everything youthink important, including geologicalfeatures or information about the

gravestones or architecture - the surveydoes not have to stop at just the wildlife.

ACTION!

Restoration or enhancement projectsbelong to anyone who wishes to getinvolved. There will still be a need to

regularly survey and monitor the wildlife,but there will also be opportunities forpractical work such as making bird, bator insect boxes, raking off cut grass,making compost, hedge planting or

trimming, planting nectar-rich herbs,flowers or shrubs, or making log piles. Most importantly - celebrate everyone’scontribution, acknowledge their input andinject some fun into all the effort!

TO REGISTER YOUR CHURCH, PLEASE SEND BRIEF

DETAILS TO:Catherine Lloyd, Biodiversity

Co-ordinator, Tayside BiodiversityPartnership, c/o Dundee City Council,

Floor 13, Tayside House, Dundee, DD1 3RATel: 01382 434000,

E-mail: tayside.biodiversity@ukf.netWeb: www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk.

You will receive a registration posterand survey forms

FURTHER INFORMATIONSNH Garden for Life Leaflets:

www.snh.org.uk Tel: 01738 444177Scottish Wildlife Trust:

www.swt.org.ukRSBP:

www.rspb.org.uk; Concern for Swifts Scotland: www.concernforswifts.com

Bat Conservation Trust:www.bats.org.uk

Butterfly Conservation Scotland:www.butterflyconservation.org

BTCV:www.btcv.org.uk

Eco-Congregation:www.eco-congregation.org/scotland

Mammals Trust UK:www.mtuk.org

Froglife:www.froglife.org

Buglife:www.buglife.org.uk

Bumblebee Conservation Trust:www.bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk

British Lichen Society:www.thebls.org.uk

CREDITSFront Cover Photograph: Simon Broad

Front Cover Design: Lynda RonaldOther Photographs: Catherine Lloyd,

Lynda Ronald, Perth & Kinross CouncilBat Conservation Trust © Hugh Clark.

Leaflet Text Compiled by Catherine Lloyd onbehalf of the Tayside Biodiversity

Partnership.

Leaflet funded by Perth & Kinross Council, AngusCouncil

and Scottish Natural Heritage

Tayside Biodiversity Partnership

Tayside

GreenKirk & Graveyard Initiative

This leaflet has been printed on 130g Revive SilkEnvironmentally Friendly Paper

Don’t be tempted to tackle long grass in oneseason – you could inadvertently destroy habitatfor slow worms, amphibians, small mammals orbumble bees. Always leave cut grass for a few daysto allow wildlife to disperse or wildflowers to setseed.

Aim for a variety of grass lengths – short mowngrass in visible areas, medium grass in lessfrequented areas. If appropriate, create aButterfly Meadow or “Contemplation Zone” in asecluded area, with seating to encourage visitorsto sit quietly to watch the wildlife. Long grassneeds to be cut, but get advice as to the best timeto maximise its use by butterflies and for anywildflowers or grasses to set seed. Use nativeorigin wildflower plant plugs or seek advice onhow to create a wildflower meadow from seed.

Plant berry-bearing trees such as holly, yew,crab apple and rowan. Willow, hazel and alder arealso worth considering. Only plant oak, ash orlime if there is sufficient room for them to growto maturity.

When planting or renewing a hedge, use nativehedgerow species such as hawthorn, hazel, holly,wild rose and blackthorn as they provide winterfood for birds and small mammals.

In a woodland setting check the current groundflora and, if appropriate, consider plantingsnowdrops, winter aconite, wood anemone,primroses, native ferns or wild hyacinth (sourcedfrom reputable suppliers who guarantee that theirstock is not taken from the wild).

Separate woody trimmings and small branchesfrom the compost and make a “log pile” in a quietcorner – this may be used by hibernatinghedgehogs and toads, slow worms or insects.Wrens and other small birds will sometimes use alarge log pile to nest in and many birds willexplore it for insects.

Retain anthills – some plants and butterfliesdepend on ants for some aspect of survival.

Leave small holes under eaves, tiles or roof spacesas you could trap bats either hibernating there orin maternity roosts. You could also inadvertentlyexclude nesting swifts that often use small holesat the top of buildings.

Use untreated rough sawn wood for making bat,bird and insect boxes.

Keep chemical use at an absolute minimum andseek professional advice before treating timbersor roofs as you could destroy bat colonies.

Celebrate (and publicise) your achievementsregularly!

GREENING THE

GRAVEYARD

GREENING THE

GRAVEYARD

Trees - check for Tree Preservation Orderson existing trees and obtain professionaladvice before deciding the fate of misshapenor storm-damaged trees. Where safe, retainstanding deadwood as it is a vital component ofbiodiversity - but if a tree has to be felled,consider leaving it nearby as ‘lying deadwood’.

Hedges - aim for thick A-shaped hedgesand trim once every two years (in January orFebruary only) to retain berries for winter birdfood. Don’t spray the base of the hedge as itis often used by hedgehogs, other smallmammals and bumblebees.

Walls - leave mosses and lichens on wallsand gravestones, or obtain professional advice ifyou wish to remove them. Some lichens take 50years to grow just a couple of centimetres andsome specialise in being at the top of stones,whilst others need to be under ledges.

Gravel paths - these are often good forwildlife as many beetles and other insects needsandy soil and stony areas. They will also usesandy or peaty slopes with or without leaflitter, natural stone outcrops, surroundingwalls and gravestones.

Ivy - Removal can cause more damage thanby leaving it alone. Ivy does not kill trees andis a superb wildlife plant offering nesting androosting sites for birds and bats, winter feed forbirds and early nectar for insects. It onlyneeds to be removed from crumbling walls,young saplings, or where it is smothering itshost tree.

Scented plants - enjoy plantings of honey-suckle, lilac, rambling roses, lavender, rosemary,sweet rocket, wallflower, thyme, marjoram -they are all attractive to wildlife.

COLOURFUL PLANTS - phlox, forget-me-not, ice plant, honesty, globe thistle,red valerian, poached egg plant, chives,borage, aubrietia, michaelmas daisy, marigolds,cornflowers, foxgloves - they all attract beneficialinsects such as hoverflies, bumble bees andbutterflies.

Machinery - use brush cutters andstrimmers carefully as they can kill youngtrees or cause damage to gravestones.

TIPS FOR MAINTENANCE & ENHANCEMENT