Nature and wildlife has always played an important part in my life since the verey earliest times as other pages on this
site clearly demonstrate. I am at home in Nature. It is my teacher, my friend and my inspiration. So often we lose sight of
the Divine Oneness of things and in our ego and materialism lose site of the wondrous opportunity we have to play a vital
part in the great cycle of life and to leave some sort of legacy, no matter how humble, to the future.
I firmly believe that we all have a sacred and solemn duty to care for, cherish, protect and enhance Wildlife, the Environment
and all other Creatures in every way possible. All of us in our daily lives can do something to make this planet more beautiful,
sustainable and maintain its rich diversity and fecundity. And it is a desperately urgent task: in the last 50 years our wildlife
has dramatically diminished.
I was brought up in a rural environment. Our games and playtime was out in the fields, woods, streams, lanes of the valleys
and hills of Gloucestershire. Growing up in such a setting one instinctively one feels part of something at once beauteous
and wondrous.
And how can one ever be alone as long as there is the rhythm of the seasons, the cycle of life in the greeness all around,
the rustles of leaves in the breeze, the sound of the bird and the bee and smell of grass and flower after the rain? So much
to delight our senses, restore our spirit and engender a sense of love and generosity to the environment and other creatures
that so enrich our lives.
If anything sums it all up it is this:
"The kiss of the sun for pardon
The song of the bird for mirth
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on Earth"
And so in a spirit of thankfullness, joy and partnership my garden has been developed to aid this process. And this takes
several forms:
Planting:
Has been undertaken with wildlife in mind. So often we do not plant for wildlife. Yet gardens account for far more habitat
than all the National Parks put together, so if we all took a little trouble then think of all the wildlife corridors across
the nation that would be created and think of the richness this would be bring to our lives!
POND
The Pond is a thriving place for life and each year many fish are born. And as of 2016 the Shubunkin started breeding.
There are several species and these include:
Goldfish. Blackamoor. Golden Rudd. Silver Rudd. Green Tench. Blue Panda. Canary Yellow. Sarassa Comet. Honey
Orf. Blue Orf. Red Shubunkin. Blue Shubunkin. Golden Shubunkin. White Ogon. Ginnrinn. Koi (metallic ghost). Fantail.
The metallic ghost Koi is now over 12 years old and quite large. Some of the fish were from from the other side of the country
when I moved here in 2012.
It has been necessary to erect black mesh fence all around the pond and lay poles across the surface to keep the heron at
bay. Unsightly but necessary.
I find watching fish to be very restful and soothing. They are often to be found sunning themselves in the shallower more
open water. Some also like to come down to the waterfall for a tickle.
They congregate each night at the same time and place where they are to be fed.
BUTTERFLIES:
Especially with regards to bees and butterflies and moths. Like so much else
they are having a very hard time of it. And many species are uinder threat in England.
Although the garden is only 5 years old having started from scratch (simply a large grass/field like area), on average now
over 25 species of butterfly and day flying moth visit and breed in the garden.
Nectar rich planting throughout the garden has encouraged populations to establish themselves. More such planting for conservation
will continue. In the emergent woodland wildflower sowings are to be made.
There is a steady year on year increase in both species and numbers over. 2019 saw the Brimstone make an appearance in February.
The 'Orange Tip' again has made early appearances.
Sightings since reords began include: Peacock, Speckled Wood, Comma, Common Blue, Tortoishell, Red Admiral, Brimstone,
Painted Lady, Marbled White, Large White, Gatekeeper, Orange Tip, Ringlet, Small Skipper, Small Copper, Small
Heath, Small White, Cinnebar, Red Underwing, Tiger Moth, Meadow Brown.
OTHER
Field
Mice are constantly in residence but tend not to come into the house except when brought in by the cat.
Amphibians:
Frogs- about ten have survived in juvenile frogs form last years spawn and
spend all their time in or around the pond.
Of the three toads brought in last year, one makes a regular appearance
and he is huge and fat!
Neighbours Cats from both sides also come into the garden: Sakura and Chibonda.
Two Hedgehogs used to come into the garden each night throughout the summer but for 2 years or so seem to
have vanished from the neighbourhood.
Foxes are ocassionally visitors, and last year I had a juvenile fox living in my Greenhouse for about a week!
Insects: There are a variety of insect lodges, and hibernation houses for such species as butterflies, moths,
ladybirds, mason bees, lacewings, etc.
Bats used to fly up and down the road back gardens of an evening until two years ago.
A variety of nesting boxes have been put up and my neighbour Frank and I are putting up Bat boxes in both gardens.
DECLARATION
>
For some years I have been moving towards a way of life that grants other creatures status as non-human persons.
We, of the species Homo Sapiens, in our intelligence and evolution must finally recognise the duty we have, as the dominant
species, to other intelligent species/creatures.
In my garden all mammals and birds etc are treated as non-human persons.They are given the same respect, protection, love
and dignity I wish to be given myself. This must include at the barest minimum the following:
1. Freedom from detention/ imprisonment/confinement.
2. Right to life and liberty.
3. Right to a family life.
4. Freedom from persecution /torture/mistreatment/servitude.
5. Freedom from hunting and trapping.
6. Right to eat and find sustenance in peace without human disturbance.
7. Right to a safe and natural habitat.
8. The right not to be removed from their natural environment.
9. Freedom from control, exploitation and enforced training for commercial and other gain.
10. Freedom from experimentation.
11. To be treated with care, respect, and dignity and afforded protection and help by all members of the dominant planetary
species homo sapiens.
I urge all my friends to make such a Declaration and commit to a way of living in this regard.
CONSERVATION
The Trust and the Garden and all its projects and teaching are run according to the spiritual philosophy of Stephen Cox.
This is especially so with regards to what might be termed 'Conservation' wherein which an inner core of his fundamental principles
may be found.
CONSERVATION PHILOSOPHY
Taking the philosophy and teachings of Stephen Cox as its lead the Trust believes that:
o Nature and Humans can co-exist in a mutually beneficial manner which enhances their mutual condition and potential.
o That all existence on Earth is interdependent and part of a wondrous composition which is an indivisible whole.
o That caring for Nature and other creatures can improve the human condition- including its mental well-being, morality and
spiritual attainment.
o That the destruction, damage and degradation of the environment as well as habitat and species must be halted and repaired
and reversed.
o That any damage to the environment or other creatures is also an assault on the integrity of humanity.
o That all humans should be taught from an early age about the rights and needs of other creatures and of the importance of
the health and diversity of Nature and the Environment.
o That we should encourage each other to live in as ecological, bio-friendly, non-destructive, and sustainable a manner as
is possible
o That we as humans have a sacred duty to protect, cherish, and enhance the environment and other creatures.
o That all life, all creatures, and all Nature and its environment/ landscapes, eco-systems, habitats etc are sacred.
CONSERVATION POLICY
The Policy of the Trust with regards to wildlife, the environment etc shall be as follows:
o To garden in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner.
o To enrich its extant habitats for other creatures and increase the quantity and range of habitats and create new ones
o To extend the range of species living in and visiting the garden.
o To have a policy on the rights of other creatures.
o To have a policy regarding treatment of wildlife during gardening/teaching/visits.
o To reduce use of all non-organic materials and garden in as organic a manner as possible.
o To undertake extensive composting and also to continually enrich the soil by organic means.
o To increase the range of native and wild flora and fauna.
o To maintain records of species and undertake wildlife audits from time to time.
o To communicate our values of love, respect, protection and enhancement of landscape, environment, bio-diversity and wildlife
to our students, volunteers and visitors.
o And the same to the general public.
o To undertake activities, publications/articles, events, workshops etc for students and local people in pursuit of this policy.
o To encourage the protection and improvement of: the landscape, bio-diversity, environment, together with wildlife and habit
of the local area in this part of North Wiltshire.
