The importance of conserving our natural world, ecosystems, wildlife and biodiversity

Every year on March 3^rd, wildlife lovers, environmental enthusiasts and conservationists celebrate World Wildlife Day: an event dedicated to wild animals, plants, and their contributions to the planet.

Humans across the world rely on wildlife and biodiversity to sustain us, even more than you may think. With essentials from food and medicines to housing and clothing all stemming from biodiversity. This year in 2026, the celebration focuses on the importance of medicinal and aromatic plants in sustaining the ecosystem and human health. In developing countries, between 70-95% of populations depend on traditional, natural medicines for primary healthcare. However, we should not underestimate the importance of plants in developed countries, too.

In the UK, plants like lavender, chamomile and echinacea are widely used to support sleep, relaxation, and immunity. Although our healthcare systems benefit from advancements in synthetic chemistry, many drug compounds are still in some way derived from natural sources, making plants crucial to contemporary pharmaceuticals in the UK and beyond.

In this blog, we will explore the symbiotic relationship between humans, plants and wildlife – and learn how we can take part in the conservation of our local environment this World Wildlife Day. We will also learn about the important role wildlife hospitals like Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital play in conserving our natural world.

HOW TO PROTECT THE ECOSYSTEM

How we interact with the natural world has a far greater impact than we could ever foresee. Being mindful of our actions allows us to maintain the delicate balance of our ecosystem and in turn our precious wildlife.

SYMBYOSIS - WHAT IS IT?

A biological term, ‘symbiosis’ refers to a close relationship between two or more biological species. When both species mutually benefit from an interaction, it known as ‘symbiotic’. The relationship between animals and plants is often characterised in this way. In the UK, nettles have symbiotic relationships with many insects, such as the caterpillars of the Large Tortoiseshell butterfly. As the caterpillar eats the nettle leaves, they are protected from predators via the stinging hairs on the plant. This act of feeding simultaneously pollinates the nettles, making the relationship mutually beneficial.

Offer Resources for Pollinators

Pollinators like butterflies, bees, beetles and even flies are crucial to ecosystems. By transferring pollen between flowers, they enable the reproduction of 90% of flowering plants. Here are some easy ways you can support pollinators:

• Plant Native Flowers: Flowers like lavender and foxgloves are nectar-rich, serving as excellent resources for pollinators. With their bold shapes and vibrant colours, they are particularly attractive to bees and butterflies.

• Avoid ‘Tidy’ Gardening: While a tidy garden may appear more harmonious with nature, dried foliage like leaves and seedheads provides a habitat to pollinators and other wildlife during the winter months. Besides being better for the environment, it also saves you a job!

• Avoid Toxic Pesticide Use: Pesticides don’t only kill ‘pests’, but also pollinators like bees and birds. They may also target unintended victims such as hedgehogs, foxes, badgers and protected species. Consider natural remedies like peppermint, thyme, and rosemary oil. Alternatively, you can use mesh netting on areas you want to keep pest-free.

Adopt a Sustainable Diet

With agriculture causing 60% of biodiversity loss, adopting a sustainable diet is one of the best ways you can support the environment. Here are some ways you can make eco-friendly dietary choices:

• Reduce Meat Consumption: Livestock farming accounts for nearly 30% of food-related emissions. Shifting from a high-meat diet toward a more plant-based diet can reduce diet-related emissions by up to 50%.

• Eat Seasonal and Local Produce: Seasonal and local produce generally travels shorter distances, minimising harmful transportation emissions. Local farms also tend to utilise smaller-scale methods over intensive agricultural practices, which is more environmentally conscious.

• Reduce Food Waste: Food waste accounts for 8-10% of man-made greenhouse emissions globally. To help minimise waste, try planning meals in advance and shop with a list. For any leftovers, try getting creative and experiment with new meal ideas. When disposing of food waste, use a food compost bin instead of an ordinary waste bin. This facilitates the natural decomposition of kitchen scraps and creates fertiliser, thereby reducing the methane gas emissions that arise from landfills.

BECOME A CONSERVASONIST

Beyond the sustainable choices we make at home, supporting conservation projects are a great way to protect the environment on a larger scale. Here are some ways to get involved:

Join a Litter Pick: With almost 50% of UK adults admitting to littering, 2 million pieces of litter are dropped every day. Around 1 million animals die annually from litter, with hazards including suffocation, choking, and incisions from sharp debris like broken bottles. Clean-up initiatives like Clean Up Britain campaign for systemic and behavioural changes, offering practical solutions to help control the litter epidemic. To find a local litter pick, sign up to Keep Britain Tidy, the UK’s largest litter-picking network.

Alternatively, browse Facebook groups or contact your local council to arrange a community litter-pick. Local organisation The Final Straw Foundation, based in Hampshire or Sussex, regularly host community litter pick sessions. If you’d prefer to go solo, bring a litter-picker and some sturdy gloves to avoid direct contact with hazardous objects. Ideally, bring separate bags for general waste and recycling. If litter-picking near a road, wear a high-vis jacket for your safety. Once the litter is bagged up, you can contact your local council for collection.

Tip: Ensure to check beneath foliage – lots of litter hides in bushes and natural debris!

• Get Involved in Citizen Science Projects: Many organisations rely on public data to track and monitor biodiversity. Popular citizen science projects include the Big Butterfly Count – a summer project involving just a short 15-minute count of butterflies in your local area. Similarly, initiatives like the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme work with partner organisations to coordinate local surveys on hedgehog populations. With the help of volunteers, they put out cameras and collect them after 30 days – using the data to understand how we can better support hedgehog populations. To learn more about how you can get involved, check out this article on UK projects throughout the year.

SUPPORT WILDLIFE HOSPITALS

Wildlife hospitals play a crucial role in rehabilitating sick and injured wildlife and returning healthy wildlife back to the wild where they belong. Here in the UK, wildlife is under increasing pressure. Due to habitat loss, depleted food sources, climate change and human activities, the UK sadly remains one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Over 70 bird species are now listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and even the much-loved European hedgehog is facing the risk of extinction. This sobering reality highlights the urgent need to safeguard our precious wildlife and restore the natural habitats they depend on before it is too late.

For over 55 years, Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital has seen first hand the impact of human activities on wildlife. The Charity has been a trusted and respected provider of expert care and specialist knowledge for sick, injured and orphaned wild animals. Many of the patients admitted to us arrive as a direct - or sometimes indirect - result of human impact. Whether through habitat loss, pollution, vehicle collisions, pet interactions, or accidental nest interference, the effects of human activity are often reflected in the injuries we treat. 

By supporting local wildlife care and conservation organisations like Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital on and beyond World Wildlife Day, you can make a lasting impact on wildlife and the wider conservation efforts.

You can support the work at Brent Lodge by:

• Making a donation

• Sending essential hospital supplies

• Volunteering your time

• Organising a fundraiser

• Booking a wildlife-focused education outreach visit to raise awareness