Britain's official guide to canals, rivers and lakes

Saturday 20th March 2010

Support the International Year of Biodiversity

Family looking for wildlife along the canal

The United Nations have declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity, supported by over 200 partners across the UK including British Waterways (BW).

So this year we’re asking all lovers of canals and nature to make their New Year’s resolution for 2010 to do something to support biodiversity; to do just one thing to help preserve life on earth. It’s simple, fun and what’s more you stand a good chance of seeing it through to 2011!

Hundreds of ways to join in

There are hundreds of ways you can help to conserve biodiversity from learning about your local wildlife or feeding the birds in your garden, to taking part in the British Waterways Wildlife Survey 2010 or giving a donation to a conservation charity. You could pledge to leave a section of lawn uncut this summer, plant a window box or take part in Towpath Tidy.

Take a look at the long list of fun pledges on the International Year of Biodiversity UK website. You can choose one of these – or think up one of your own. Either way, be sure to spread the word so that more people can get involved. You can follow the International Year of Biodiversity on twitter (hashtag #iyb) and more information about how BW is getting involved will be posted on these pages in the months to come.

It would be great to hear about the pledges you make for the International Year of Biodiversity. Drop us an email or a tweet!

I’m personally pledging to put out water (as well as food) for our garden birds this year (thanks to the snow our resident blackbirds and robins are getting through several handfuls of raisins, seeds and breadcrumbs a day. The water does tend to freeze over rather quickly though. I need to put a bobbing ball in there).
Natalie Bhogal, Editor

I pledge to take part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch (30/31 Jan)– anyone who doesn’t have a garden can take part by heading down to their local canal or river instead – 2,200 miles of freely accessible nature with no shortage of birds in town or country! Nayna Wood, BW national press officer

I pledge to start my own vegetable patch in my garden. Home-grown carrots and spuds - it doesn't get more organic than that! Melissa Ezechukwu, staff writer for waterscape

I pledge to do some waterway wildlife spotting this year and report what I see on waterscape.com.
Kelly Radley, BW Acting National Marketing Manager

I pledge to provide additional nest boxes in my garden for blue tits and great tits. I will also ensure that British Waterways ancient and veteran trees are recorded on the Ancient Tree hunt website.
Dr Mark Robinson BW National Ecology Manager

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In this section ...

White-tailed bumblebee British Waterways’ role in biodiversity »
Britain’s beautiful canals and rivers are a crucial part of UK biodiversity, so it’s essential their natural heritage is conserved for future generations to enjoy. More »
Mark Robinson, National Ecology Manager, meets Huw Irranca-Davies MP, Minister for Marine and Natural Environment, to confirm BW’s support at the launch of the IYB The International Year of Biodiversity UK Partnership »
2010 is the United Nations’ International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) and British Waterways (BW) is one of more than 200 organisations to sign up to an IYB-UK partnership, along with Defra, the National Trust, RSPB and the Environment Agency. More »
Kingfisher Kingfishers on the network »
The kingfisher is one of our most striking, vibrant and exciting birds, and it also symbolises a healthy and dynamic natural environment. It is easily recognised and much loved by visitors to the waterways. More »
Dr Jonathan Newman of Aquatic Plant Management Group, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Baroness Young of Old Scone, former chief executive of the Environment Agency with Paul Beckwith Tackling invasive plants in our canals »
While a lush green waterway is a beautiful sight, British Waterways faces a constant and costly battle to manage excessive plant growth, particularly of invasive species, while protecting the important habitats that support biodiversity. More »
Protecting canal bats and their roosts »
Many of our 200-year-old canal tunnels, bridges, buildings and aqueducts are home to bats. If bats flew during the day everyone would know how abundant they are along our canals. More »

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