Happy Biodiversity Day!

The effects of natural environments on well-being and health have been widely studied and recognised both in Finland and abroad. Nature offers numerous opportunities for recreation, exercise and relaxation, and spending time in nature has been found to have a strong connection to mental and physical well-being. Did you know that just five minutes in nature can relax you, 20 minutes can improve your mood, an hour can increase your alertness, and two hours can boost your immune system? Social wellbeing, on the other hand, can be promoted by shared experiences in nature, which strengthen interaction and a sense of belonging with others.

Biodiversity is synonymous with life: it provides us with water, food, oxygen and medicines, among other things. However, biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate. The greatest risk to biodiversity is the loss and degradation of natural habitats. Species diversity is declining because living conditions are not favourable for them.

Biodiversity can be increased in many different ways

Converting your lawn into a meadow is an excellent and beautiful way to restore the environment to its natural state. Meadowing diversifies the species, which attracts pollinating insects to feast, and the insects in turn attract birds and mammals.

“In addition to increasing the number of meadows, we are also striving to improve biodiversity in Tuusula wherever possible by leaving felled and fallen trees on the ground to rot or stand upright,” says Johanna Antipov, green area supervisor at Green Services.

“We also have brushwood fences in parks, and we plan to add more,” Antipov continues.

Everyone can do their part to preserve and strengthen biodiversity. Ways to promote biodiversity include preserving natural habitats for animals, building nesting and feeding sites, increasing plant diversity, removing invasive species, reducing the use of pesticidesand participating in various environmental campaigns. The dandelion fields of early summer can be left to delight us with their colourfulness and, above all, provide vital nutrition for butterflies and bumblebees. Whether through small or large actions, together we can strengthen the future of a vibrant and diverse natural environment.

Tips for adding diversity to your own garden!

The Biodiversity Yard Competition, held in the summer of 2024, sought to find the most biodiverse yard in Tuusula. During the competition, participants were asked to share tips on how to promote biodiversity in their own yards. Grab some tips for your own yard!

Recycle all decomposing material in the garden

Weeds in the garden, such as nettles, can be used to make free fertiliser.
You can use brushwood to build a wall, for example, as a backdrop for a flower bed or as a windbreak for a vegetable garden.
The branches can be used to make wood piles under trees, where they are left to rot.
The roots of weeds can be rotted before composting if you are concerned about spreading weeds in the compost.
You don't necessarily need to rake the yard if you mow over the leaves with a lawnmower.
Place the thermal composter along your daily route and the garden composter in a warm corner.
When felling trees, the stumps can be left in place. Plants can be planted around the stumps or they can be used as pot bases.
When felling trees, you can also leave a couple of metres of the trunk standing and plant vines around it or even attach birdhouses to it.

Create habitats for others

Birds can be observed in suitable nesting sites and at drinking pools.
Build an insect hotel for bugs
Ponds are particularly important for birds, frogs and newts.
If there are too many berries, let the hares and birds eat them.

Take it easy, there’s no point in striving for perfection.

Do not weed too thoroughly.
The less you mow the lawn or use a trimmer and remove anything from your yard, the better.
Leave some areas of the lawn uncut for bumblebees, and allow wild plants to take over some areas.
The no-dig method makes it easy to maintain a kitchen garden without turning or hoeing, simply by adding compost each year.
Let the yard or its edges grow wild!
Make yard and garden maintenance easy, enjoyable, and rewarding.

Take care of your garden on nature’s terms

Plant or allow wild Finnish plants to grow in your garden.
Favour traditional domestic perennials.
Leave areas of the yard to grow naturally and in harmony with the maintained areas.
Use rainwater for watering your vegetable garden.
Only use species that are suitable for our climate and do not require additional watering.
Avoid paving stones and asphalt in your yard.

This content has been translated using AI