Happy World Wildlife Day!

Since 2013, the 3rd of March has been the UNGA's self-declared World Wildlife Day.

This special day was created in order to raise awareness of the importance of species conservation and the protection of the world's natural biodiversity from the encroachment of civilisation.

For 2020, WWD will be celebrated under the theme "Sustaining All Life on Earth" and the focus will be on conserving life both on land and below water to halt biodiversity loss.

We are only one of millions of species on earth, but over the last few hundred years our encroachment into animals' habitats has had a real negative impact on wildlife. Even in the UK the beaver, wolf, great auk and the kentish plover to name some of the most charismatic, have become extinct over the last couple of hundred years.

Still today many of our most beloved species are disappearing with hedgehog numbers plummeting, and turtledoves along with natter jack toads now found only in a few select locations.

All our wildlife needs protection even more now than ever before; that is why we are raising awareness for this brilliant day and the importance of protecting our wildlife.

Wildlife on the Farm...

We love helping wildlife and that is why we are always looking for ways to give wildlife a helping hand, not only does our flower field provide a wonderful sanctuary for insects like bees and butterflies, but animals like birds, hares and believe it or not dear. We have also created a wildlife garden for nature next to the petal shed, as well as leaving margins around the field edges for nature to have that little bit more space.

Last year we even planted a giant bee made of cornflowers in the middle of our confetti flower field to highlight the plight of bees. Not only did this get the conversation going about what we can all do in our own gardens to help support the bee population, but it also highlighted the need to discuss sustainability.

We're constantly improving on our sustainability, all the confetti bags for our 1 litre, 5 litre and 10 litre bags, plus our individual sachets are carbon neutral. Our dispatch packaging is made from 80% recycled board and all the inks used are plant based too. We've also installed solar panels on our shed roof to contribute to the electricity needed for the farm and petal shed, and only dip into the grid during busy times.

But What Can I do...

If you are getting involved in World Wildlife Day this year, let us know what you are going to do and how you will be getting involved! If you would like to get involved but are not sure what to do, there is always the option of joining in with local charities like The Woodland Trust, The Wildlife Trust or The British Hedgehog Preservation Society.

However you spend your day, make sure to post your activities using the hashtag #DoOneThingToday and tag us @shropshirepetals to share your efforts with us!

Love as always SP XX