Heal Rewilding, a prominent nature charity, is urging for a change in the public’s perception of weeds. The organization believes that rebranding these wild plants as “wins” – Wildflowers Intruding on Neatness – will help people understand their crucial role in supporting the nation’s struggling wildlife.
According to Heal, weeds are often dismissed as garden nuisances and are associated with negativity. However, these resilient plants serve as unsung biodiversity champions, providing food and shelter for bees, birds, butterflies, moths, spiders, and other wildlife.
While there is no exact data on the amount of weeds removed from UK gardens, it is estimated that they can make up 10-20% of total garden waste. Using 2023 statistics, this equates to potentially 720,000 tonnes of weeds being removed from domestic gardens, resulting in a significant loss of food and habitat for wildlife.
Heal emphasizes the need for more gardeners to consider the vital nourishment and refuge that weeds provide for various species. The organization encourages people to tolerate having a few more weeds in their gardens for ecological reasons, rather than immediately uprooting them.
Jan Stannard, CEO of Heal Rewilding, highlights the importance of every weed in an ecosystem, stating, “Far from being villains in our gardens, they’re the unappreciated heroes helping combat wildlife declines.”
To showcase the positive impact of weeds on wildlife, Heal suggests new names for some common ones. For instance, nettles can be viewed as “tingly greens,” as they serve as a banquet for caterpillars, butterflies, moths, and birds. Similarly, common knapweed can be dubbed “crowned ambrosia,” as it attracts a variety of pollinators, including butterflies, bees, moths, beetles, and hoverflies. Even ragwort, deemed toxic to livestock, can be appreciated as “cinnabar delight” for its ability to sustain over 200 invertebrate species.
By promoting the term “wins,” Heal aims to bring about a cultural shift in how people manage their gardens, verges, and wild spaces. The organization hopes that this change in mindset will help pollinators and other wildlife thrive in their natural habitats.
Heal Rewilding is a registered charity that aims to raise funds to buy land in England and rewild it for nature recovery, climate action, and wellbeing. Through wildlife population restoration, community involvement, and storytelling, the organization seeks to address the climate and ecological crises while reconnecting people with nature. Heal’s first rewilding site, Heal Somerset, was purchased in December 2022 and is open to the public for free access 50 weeks a year.
For more information, please contact Jan Stannard at jan@healrewilding.org.uk or 07710 171704.
This article was distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/.
