UK invertebrates award
Find out how to become a Champion in Conservation for UK invertebrates!
Invertebrates are animals that don’t have a backbone. Some examples are butterflies, bees and spiders. Many invertebrates, especially insects, are crucial for pollinating plants, including our crops and wildflowers. Others, like earthworms break down dead plants and animals, which keeps the soil healthy and clean.
Invertebrates are also an important part of the food chain because they are food for birds, fish and other animals.
WHAT TO DO TO COMPLETE YOUR AWARD?
Awards are earned for completing one connect, one action, and one voice challenge on your chosen topic. If you have done all three then you can apply for your award.
Get inspired by some of our resources and ideas to achieve a UK invertebrates award and find the way YOU want to connect, take action and be a voice for change and let us know how you’ve completed these through your application.
1. You can complete this challenge on your own, with friends or as part of a community group.
2. Collect evidence with photos, films or other ways to document your experience and write an account in your award application.
CONNECT BY:
GETTING CLOSER
Start small by watching butterflies, ladybirds, or snails, which are often easier to find. Look at their colour patterns and movements. Watch how they interact with their environment.
LOOKING FOR SIGNS
Explore areas like gardens, parks, woodlands, or even your own backyard. Look for signs of invertebrate activity like nibbled leaves, silk threads, or nests.
LISTENING CAREFULLY
Some invertebrates like bees, crickets, or grasshoppers, make sounds like buzzing or chirping. Try to listen while you're watching them.
OR CHOOSE YOUR OWN WAY TO CONNECT WITH UK INVERTEBRATES
TAKE ACTION BY:
PLANTING NECTAR-RICH FLOWERS
Create a welcoming environment in your garden by providing food sources for insects like nectar-rich flowers such as Lavendar or Buddleia.
BUILDING A LOG PILE
This can help invertebrates shelter and hide. It is the perfect habitat for insects, spiders and woodlice. It also makes the perfect place for toads and hedgehogs to explore and grab some food.
BUILDING A BUG HOTEL
Provides much-needed habitats for insects like ladybirds, bees, and lacewings, offering them shelter, breeding grounds, and protection from predators.
DON’T USE PESTICIDES
Some pesticides can harm or kill insects. Instead, encourage natural predators such as hedgehogs and ladybirds to manage garden pests such as slugs and aphids.
BE A VOICE FOR CHANGE BY:
Flying insects in the UK have reduced by 60% in the last 20 years.
Part of conservation is using your voice to create social change around you.
There’s no one way to do this, you could create a poster or artwork, you could create a film or give a talk to friends and family, you could even write to your local MP to make them more aware of a conservation issue you’re passionate about.
Whatever you choose, get creative and do something that suits your way of using your voice for change!
Need some inspiration?
We’ve got some useful resources to help you get on your way to help:
