Insects play critical roles in our lives. Often under-appreciated and viewed by some as a nuisance, insects are “lever pullers of the world”. These tiny animals are fundamental for a healthy ecosystem, yet they are underappreciated, understudied and rarely considered in conservation.
International research recognises that insect populations are in decline. To help halt the decline it is important to understand their ecology and the connections between insects and other species.
To help raise awareness of these issues, our project “Valuing Insects” addresses this lack of appreciation and understanding.
Led by a dedicated team of specialists, this initiative aims to discover and engage through information and educational initiatives how we can develop a better understanding of insect conservation and introduce effective solutions to ensure these tiny creatures are fully addressed in effective biodiversity policies and practices.
Our work also includes:
- Collecting and providing valuable data, contributing to knowledge gaps on species ecology
- Promoting and informing on the connections between insects and the rest of the living world
- Advising and educating on how habitat management can be improved for insects
- Creating and publishing materials to demonstrate the importance of the various insect groups, their relevance and importance in our world
- Hosting a wide range of educational programmes from insect field study days to learn more about insects and how to identify them, to workshops and webinars on a diverse range of insect conservation matters
- Developing resources to increase awareness on insect conservation
There is an urgent need to uncover the causes of biodiversity decline, its geographical extent and to understand the impacts of the decline for ecosystems and ecosystem services.
One of the most practical and effective solutions is to preserve and recover natural habitats and eliminate harmful, toxic practices and develop and implement practices to restore and preserve biodiversity.
Individuals and local communities have a vital role to play in improving their knowledge of insects and through action, make a major impact by creating insect-friendly spaces, planting native plants, protecting and preserving natural habitats.
Reduce your own chemical use and write to your local council urging them to reduce their chemical usage.
However, one of the best ways to help our insects is to protect their habitat. You can do this by supporting our work to care for all wildlife and its habitats and by participating in our events on insect conservation.
