A major cause of species loss, and one that is within our grasp to end, is the continued application of pesticides and herbicides.

A guest blog by Jane Houldcroft

Each week this paper reports on the excellent work being done across the city by individuals, schools, friends groups, charities and communities to try to stem and reverse the devastating decline in biodiversity. Most often cited is the loss of bees and other insects which play such a vital role in our lives by acting as pollinators for many food crops. Less often mentioned is the importance of invertebrates, of all kinds, as key sources of food for many animals and as an essential workforce in composting and soil health. Preserving local species richness is critical to our future. Sheffield City Council acknowledged this by declaring a nature emergency in 2021.

A major cause of species loss, and one that is within our grasp to end, is the continued application of pesticides and herbicides. I am always saddened and shocked to see how many pesticides, herbicides and other nature-damaging products are stocked by our local DIY superstores and garden centres.

As a gardener, it’s hard to see treasured plants stripped bare whilst plants like nettles and dandelions refuse to be contained. Gardening groups and Nature groups across the UK are calling for immediate change to how we treat and manage the spaces we care for by using a gardening approach that works with nature rather than against it.

City campaigners highlighted the vital role of trees to our health, well-being and environment. As a city, we now take a lead as a model for tree regeneration and protection. Our next step should be coordinated action to save these mostly unseen creatures, which have an equally important role.

The promotion of ‘Greener Gardening’ by garden centres and stores and effective action by SCC to ban the use of these chemicals on our streets, gennels, parks and all our green spaces should be the first step forward, helping local gardeners take action without having to wait for the inevitable legislation to bring change and ban these products from shelves and council use. Plant and animal species richness on everyone’s street would improve all our lives.