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About Us
Make Your Garden is an environmental education campaign looking to engage children and families with nature, as well as increase awareness of the issues surrounding European herpetofauna and help change the negative perceptions of these species. We hope through positive interactions and education, we can facilitate behaviour changes as well as perceptional changes, and inspire the next generation of conservationists. Follow us along on this journey to learn how you can make a great impact on your local area!
The Big Issue
Reptile and amphibian populations are declining globally at an astronomical rate. Over one-third of the world's amphibians are threatened with extinction, and it is estimated that 120 amphibian species have been lost since the 1980s. Additionally, 21% of reptiles are endangered. In Europe, reptiles and amphibians are facing considerable declines, with over half the amphibian species (59%) and 42% of reptile species in decline. For example, in Great Britain, declines in the common frog, common toad, and natterjack toad have been seen since the 1970s and the common toad populations have declined by 68% in the past 30 years.
Natural habitats across Europe are being restricted and fragmented by growing human populations, agricultural intensification, urban sprawl, and pollution, causing reptile and amphibian population declines. The loss of ponds and wetlands has considerable impacts on amphibians as these habitats play a crucial role in the amphibians' life cycle and ecology. Habitat mismanagement and pollution of water systems, for example from acid rain and agrochemical run-off, are also contributing factors to this decline. Invasive species, disease, and illegal trade are also contributing factors in the decline of reptiles and amphibians. One million threatened and endangered snakes are traded each year, and between 1975 and 2018, it is estimated that 6.4 million live snakes and 34.5 million snake skins were traded. Climate change in Southern Europe threatens freshwater habitats, leading to declines in amphibian populations. Despite strong legislation in place to protect habitats and species, the declines in reptile and amphibian populations highlight the detrimental impacts we are having on the ecosystem and underpin the necessity of immediate action.
With this in mind, there are many ways in which you can help reptiles and amphibians in your area. Building a pond or a compost heap are just a few ways. If you want to learn more about how you can help, click here.
What We Do
Here at Make Your Garden, we believe that positive engagements lead to positive perceptions. We have designed activities that the whole family can get involved with, helping to create fun family memories, and get the children outside and away from the computer screen, whilst helping the environment. Being outdoors is also beneficial to your physical and mental health! Such activities include building refuge sites for frogs and toads and snakes, or building a pond! You can find out more about these activities on our Facebook page, or click here to find out more about how to make a pond. Don't forget to share your creations with the hashtag #helpnevilleandfriends. You may even be featured on our Facebook page.
We encourage schools to use the activities and implement them into their forest school program. We also provide lesson ideas and classroom activities, which you can find here!
Why not check out our educational comic series "help Neville and friends", following the lives Neville the Newt and his fellow slimy and scaly friends and what kind of problems they run into in the quickly developing urban environment. You can find these comics on our Facebook page!