introduction

the four features

wildflowers

grasses

the hedgerow

the pond

the all-in-one garden

the butterflies

Further Reading

Wildflowers for Wildlife
Jenny Steel
ISBN 0-9539906 -2 -1

Gardening for Butterflies
Dr Margaret Vickery
ISBN 0-9522602 -6 -3

How to Make a Wildlife Garden
Professor Chris Baines
ISBN 0-71121711 -4
This book by the guru of wildlife gardening is a must for those who are serious about urban wildlife conservation

Butterfly Conservation
have a great selection of books about butterflies
web: butterfly-conservation    e-mail: info@butterfly-conservation.

Funding

Even during the present economic downturn, there is funding out there.  It's just a question of finding it.  My advice is to begin with Heritage Lottery Funds "Awards for All".  Your group must already have been established with a committee that has regular meetings with a chairman, secretary and treasurer.  You must also have a constitution and a bank account with at least two signatories.  When you come to fill the application form, take your time and answer all the questions.  Do not emphasise the fact that your wildlife-friendly butterfly conservation is, primarily, for the benefit of wildlife.  You have to convince them of the benefits your garden will be for people.

Remember that it takes time to create a garden and years for it to mature.  It will also need constant attention.  Apart from that, there's nothing to it.

Phase II
The Camden Butterfly Conservation Society

Since the publication of this website in September 2009, our butterfly population has suffered a serious decline.

To try and halt, if not reverse, this situation, I have formed the Camden Butterfly Conservation Society.  Experience has shown that it wasn’t enough just to encourage others to create the 'wildlife-friendly butterfly conservation gardens' as described on this website; a more dynamic approach is required.

To this end, the CBCS will become more actively involved.  We will help with the funding by applying to the National Lottery; we will assist the planning and organising of the sites; hire local gardeners to do the ground preparation and help choose and order the various plants.

'The more people become involved,
the better the chances to conserve our urban butterflies'

James Leigh

And Finally

I would like to thank Patrick Dupuy for his invaluable assistance in the preparation of this website; Mick Hudspeth who has, on many occasions, sorted out my computer problems and Alan Cooper (alancooper@blueyonder.co.uk)  who volunteered to design, develop and maintain this website and publish it on the World Wide Web.

Website © James Leigh 2009.
"Bring Back the Butterflies" logo designed by James Leigh © 2009.

'Let us try to regain that ancient kinship with nature that was,
not so long ago, instinctive to us.'

James Leigh:  thebutterflyman@btinternet.com