UK plants and fungi award
Find out how to become a Champion in Conservation for UK plants and fungi!
Trees, plants and fungi can change a landscape. Just one tree can add a huge amount of biodiversity to an area. Their bark and leaves can harbour an array of insect life, which in turn can support all sorts of other wildlife.
They can also provide shelter to larger animals such as nesting birds or bats roosting in crevices. Some trees can also be a valuable source of nectar and fruit for other animals. Their roots can prevent soil erosion. Trees are very important to our climate. They produce around a quarter of the world’s oxygen.
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 plants and fungi 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:
VISITING WOODLANDS, PARKS AND MEADOWS
Immerse yourself in the environment. Observe plants and trees in different seasons. Use all your senses. Gently feel the bark, smell the flowers, listen to wind through the branches, look at colours, shape and movement of the leaves.
LEARNING TO IDENTIFY TREES AND PLANTS
Knowing the names of trees and plants can help you feel more connected to nature and appreciate it more.
OR CHOOSE YOUR OWN WAY TO CONNECT WITH UK PLANTS & FUNGI
TAKE ACTION BY:
USING ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS
Look for labels like FSC and PEFC (use logos). This guarantees that the wood comes from sustainably managed forests.
PLANTING NATIVE TREES
Planting native trees such as Oak and Hazel provides habitat and food for birds, insects and mammals as well as capturing carbon from the atmosphere. Join local tree-planting events.
GROWING NATIVE WILDFLOWERS
Cowslips and foxgloves encourage natural pest predators and attract pollinators.
OR CHOOSE YOUR OWN WAY TO TAKE ACTION FOR UK PLANTS AND FUNGI
BE A VOICE FOR CHANGE BY:
The UK's trees and woodlands face numerous threats, including climate change impacts like drought and extreme heat, as well as a range of pests and diseases.
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!
