August's Sustainability Challenge

🍃 Wildlife & Growing Together

Late summer is a fantastic time to enjoy the wildlife and green spaces that have flourished over the summer months. As warm weather continues, it's also important to help wildlife cope with dry conditions by providing food, water and safe habitats.

Whether you have a garden, balcony, shared outdoor space or just a windowsill, every small action can make a difference.

🌱National Allotments Week (10–16 August)

Growing your own food doesn't need lots of space. Herbs, salad leaves and even tomatoes can all be grown in containers.

How you can get involved

• Harvest vegetables you've been growing.
• Plant quick-growing salads or herbs.
• Share spare produce with neighbours.
• Swap gardening tips through your community.

💡Interesting fact

Just one square metre of growing space can produce enough salad leaves for dozens of meals during the summer.

🐝Continuing Supporting Pollinators

The flowers you've planted over the last few months continue to provide food for bees, butterflies and other insects.

How you can get involved

• Water flowers during dry weather.
• Leave seed heads for birds.
• Continue avoiding pesticides.
• Photograph pollinators visiting your plants.

💡Interesting fact

Butterflies taste with their feet, helping them decide where to feed and lay their eggs.

🦋 Wildlife Friendly Homes

Summer heat can make it difficult for wildlife to find food and water.

How you can get involved

• Leave shallow bowls of fresh water out for birds, hedgehogs and insects.
• Make a simple bird feeder.
• Continue supporting pollinators with flowering plants.
• Record wildlife you spot around your neighbourhood.
• If you have suitable outdoor space, consider installing a bird or bat box (with the appropriate permissions if needed).

💡Interesting fact

A single bat can eat thousands of insects in one night, making them one of nature's best natural pest controllers.

🦇 International Bat Night (29–30 August)

Bats are one of the UK's most fascinating protected mammals and play an important role in healthy ecosystems.

How you can get involved

• Take an evening walk and see if you can spot bats at dusk.
• Learn about the bat species found in your local area.
• Protect mature trees and hedgerows which bats use for navigation.
• Share your wildlife sightings with your community.

💡Interesting fact

There are 18 species of bat in the UK, and every one is protected by law.

🌳Explore Nature

Take time to enjoy your local parks, nature reserves and green spaces before summer comes to an end.

How you can get involved

• Visit somewhere new.
• Take a family nature walk.
• Complete a litter pick while you're out.
• Photograph wildlife and plants you discover.

💡Interesting fact

Spending just 20 minutes in nature can help reduce stress and improve your mood.

🏡 Keeping Cool at Home

Hot weather can make our homes uncomfortable, but there are simple ways to stay cool while saving energy.

How you can get involved

• Close curtains or blinds on sunny windows during the day.
• Open windows in the evening or early morning when it's cooler.
• Turn off lights and appliances when not in use, as they generate heat.
• Keep a reusable water bottle nearby and stay hydrated.

💡Interesting fact

Closing curtains or blinds on windows facing the sun can help reduce indoor temperatures by several degrees without using extra energy.

💬 How to Take Part

Tell us how you’ve taken action this month. Share photos, tips, or reflections on Engage or email engagement@sng.org.uk.

Everyone who takes part will be entered into a £20 voucher prize draw, and our favourite story or photo will receive a £25 voucher.