The Bright Green Nature Digital Toolkit
Initially developed to assist busy school teachers (but now available to all our website visitors) our Digital Toolkit aims to make it easier for everyone to initiate small scale nature restoration projects. By providing you with downloadable (and printable) information sheets, covering the most popular types of projects (from Bog Gardens to Wild Flower Meadows), we hope to save you from wasting your valuable time browsing online, and therefore help you to spend more fulfilling time outdoors.
All the information is relevant to our local area, uses sustainable techniques, and should be straightforward and easy to understand – even to total beginners. As you will see, nature restoration projects can be relatively simple (and inexpensive) to get started, as well as being highly rewarding and mostly maintenance free in the longer term.
People have not been kind to nature but given a chance nature can bounce back. The more of us that make an effort (no matter how small), the greater the impact. Not knowing how to get started is no longer an excuse – just read through the attached pages for inspiration and ideas.
The Bright Green Nature Team are available (and happy) to answer your questions about your own project. Just email fraser@brightgreennature.org for ongoing guidance and support. Feedback and shared ideas are also always welcome!
02. What is Rewilding
Undoubtedly, rewilding means different things to different people, and almost everyone you ask will give you a different definition.
03. Small Ponds
Putting it simply – ponds are magnets for wildlife, and as such can be another key part of your nature restoration goals.
04. Bog Gardens
A garden without a pond (or a wetland area) is like a theatre without a stage.
05. Brash Hedges
Brash hedges are growing in popularity everywhere you look (woodland areas, gardens, farms, etc.), and it’s easy to see why.
06. Native Hedges
Either planting a new hedge, or simply doing less cutting of an existing hedge will greatly assist any nature restoration goals that you have.
07. Wildflower Meadows
Whether you have space for a large meadow, a short narrow strip or good sized bank, one thing is for sure – it all counts
08. Grass Margins
As we increase our understanding of nature restoration, we begin to see the importance of grass margins.
09. Sensory Gardens
All gardens and outdoor spaces are, in their own way, sensory gardens – that’s why people are attracted to spending time there.
10. Native Climbers
Climbing plants are mostly easy to grow, and bring visible results in a shorter space of time when compared to most other plants.
11. Spring Bulbs and Flowers
The nectar on offer from the early flowering spring bulbs and wildflower plants can be a life-saver for many bees and other pollinators.
12. Trees and Native Orchards
For a while it seemed like rewilding was all about planting trees, but as our knowledge and understanding increases we know that this is just part of the picture.
13. Living Willow Structures
Living willow structures are enjoying an upsurge in popularity.
14. Butterflies and Moths
Children love butterflies (as we all do). We think that children can learn to love moths too!
15. Bees and other pollinators
We firmly believe that any nature restoration project can, and should aim to assist our pollinators in any way possible.
16. Composting
Composting is nature's way of turning waste back into nourishment for plants and animals.
18. Bug Hotels
Whether you plan to create a multistorey Bugingham Palace with recycled pallets, or something much simpler using sticks, cardboard and twine, hopefully you will find the information that you require on this page.
19. Bird Nesting Boxes
There can be few better ways for children to enjoy helping and learning about nature than building, siting and monitoring a nesting box.
20. Hedgehogs and Trail Cameras
Hedgehogs are one of our favourite animals – especially with children.
21. Organisations, Websites and Newsletters
There are a huge number of organisations with websites offering their advice and views on all aspects of rewilding/nature restoration.
22. Some Recommended Books
Expand your knowledge of rewilding with our ever expanding book list.
Other downloadable resources
Rewilding Presentation
Bright Green Nature are proud to launch our own Rewilding Presentation 'Nature Restoration in the Borders and Beyond.
Coming soon…
We will continually be adding now resources so bookmark this page and return regularly to see what’s new.