Page 60 • The HERALD • 25th June 2026 v THE HERALD - Your Community Magazine v Locally owned landscape and maintenance company who offer excellent workmanship, value, and customer service. Contact Ralph on 07775 726135 www.apex-landscaping.co.uk • rperry16@sky.com • Decking • Fencing and Gates • Complete Landscaping • Paving • Brick Work • Block Paving and Driveways • Hedge and Tree Work •Turfing • Shed and Summerhouse Bases • Shingle Beds and Artificial Lawns • Paving and Block Paving Cleaning and Repair SPADEWORK Family Landscaping & Fencing Team ] Decking & Natural Sandstone Paving ] Patios ] Driveways ] Block Paving ] Turfing ] All Types of Domestic & Commercial Fencing ] Security Fencing Supplied & Fitted Tel: (023) 8089 4909 Mobile: 07703 566814 u Free Estimates u Fully Insured • All types of trees expertly felled, topped & pruned • Stump Grinding • Hedges pruned & trimmed • Lawns Laid • Fencing & garden work • Rubbish Clearance • Patios & drives jet-washed • Patios & Drives resurfaced or replaced Registerd Waste Carrier Licence CBDU374716 H Fully Insured H Evening: 01794 522092 Daytime Mobile: 07511 863693 Email: treefellers@gmx.com DOWN THE GARDEN PATH EMBRACE WILDLIFE-FRIENDLY GARDENING THIS SUMMER TO HELP RARE NEW FOREST SPECIES People living in and around the New Forest are being encouraged to make their gardens more wildlife-friendly this summer to help support some of the UK’s rarest species. A leading local conservation organisation says simple actions such as creating a small wildlife pond, leaving areas of grass uncut, planting pollinator-friendly owers or keeping deadwood piles can provide vital food, water and shelter for wildlife across the wider New Forest landscape. e New Forest Biodiversity Forum says that private gardens collectively have huge potential to support nature recovery in one of Europe’s most important landscapes for wildlife. e spillover e ect from the protected core of the Forest means that even relatively small gardens have the potential to host thousands of species. Professor Russell Wynn, Chair of the New Forest Biodiversity Forum, said: “Wildlife does not recognise boundaries. Gardens and green spaces in New Forest towns insects, so local gardens containing these are especially important. • A small garden pond - these support breeding frogs, newts, and dragon ies, and can become crucial safe havens during dry periods when natural pools in the Forest dry out. • An area of uncut grass - helps to support moths and other insects, which in turn provide food for bats, birds, and amphibians. Professor Wynn added: “We know that rare nocturnal species such as Nightjars and Barbastelle bats regularly forage for insects over gardens, while declining species such as Hedgehogs and Stag Beetles are actually more frequently encountered in suburban gardens and green spaces than on the open Forest. Gardens containing mature trees and hedges can also help connect areas of woodland, and native species such as Oak can provide food and shelter for many hundreds of species.” e New Forest Biodiversity Forum is the leading independent voice on nature recovery in the region. Despite being one of Europe’s most biodiverse landscapes, can create valuable habitat for species that are increasingly under pressure, while also contributing to the mental and physical wellbeing of garden owners.” To help make a difference, wildlifefriendly features to add to your garden include: • Native plants such as Lungwort, Ox-eye Daisy and Water Mint - many parts of the Forest have relatively few nectar-rich plants for pollinating Hedgehog (Credit: Russell Wynn) Stag Beetle (Credit: Russell Wynn) Garden pond (Credit: Russell Wynn) the New Forest is under growing pressure from climate change, pollution and surrounding development. Co-founded and powered by long-term funding from Kairos Philanthropy, the Forum works to provide independent evidence on the state of biodiversity in the New Forest and the action needed to protect it. and villages can play an important role in supporting nature recovery in our region. Simple low-cost actions such as creating a pond, planting flowers for pollinators, or leaving part of a lawn unmown
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTIyNzI=