Gardening for Biodiversity – Small actions anyone can take
DLR Volunteer Centre is delighted to announce a new partnership with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council’s Biodiversity section. This year we are launching the ‘Gardening for Biodiversity’ pilot project, which aims to build a community of volunteers who are taking small steps to protect and encourage biodiversity in their own gardens / area.
Our Inspiration
The project was inspired by the ‘Gardening for Biodiversity booklet’ – compiled by Laois County Council.
We want to to harness this wonderful resource and create a meaningful on the ground way for people to engage. We believe that our project will help us to build habitats for our wildlife which will increase biodiversity. It will also support our local citizens to keep well and bring a sense of purpose during this COVID period.
To check read this wonderful booklet, click below:
Small actions and inspiring stories
Backyard Biodiversity Volunteer with the National Biodiversity Data Centre
Would you like to volunteer from your own back garden? Get started today.
Going Potty for Pollinators
No garden? No worries! Even a patio, balcony or window ledge can become a 'pollinator pitstop'. Let us show you how...
Know your Swifts, Swallows and Martins
Swifts, Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins can be hard to tell apart. A brilliant new identification poster from BirdWatch Ireland will show you how.
Patrick’s story – Greenview Community Garden
Read how Patrick is taking action in response to biodiversity loss in Ireland
To help, or not to help: that is the question…
With baby mammals and birds now starting to emerge or leave the nest make sure you don't indvertently become an animal 'kidnapper'!
Brian’s story – creating a wildflower garden
Working with Shankill Tidy Towns and in his own garden!
Shane’s story – his experience of re-wilding
The benefits of handing your garden back to nature!
Mark’s story – pond building and a hedgehog highway!
Ideas in action - check out what Mark has been up to in his garden!
Aoife’s story – attracting birds to the garden
Get the whole family involved to encourage birds to your garden!
Julie’s story – the more variety, the better society!
Why wait until tomorrow? Today is a good day to change the world!
A story on the importance of nature connectedness
A heartfelt story on the importance of nature in our lives
Kamila’s story – Working with a small space and the link between gardening & wellbeing
Creating a miniature wildflower garden and the benefits of vitamin G!
Eliya’s story – Spring Forward!
Tales from her polytunnel and the nature she notices along the way!
Katie’s story – creating a pollinator friendly garden
Learn how Katie created a haven for pollinators on a small budget!
Garden Godzillas
Installing a pond could attract amazing creatures such as the Smooth Newt
Learn more about Ireland’s butterflies
Find out about our 32 native and 3 migrant butterflies with the National Biodiversity Data Centre
Pledge your garden for pollinators!
Find out how you can get involved with this wonderful initiative from the All Ireland Pollinator Plan
Buzzing about bees
Find out more about our native bees with these online resources
Feeding our garden birds
Check out Birdwatch Ireland's excellent FAQ page
Discover Ireland’s mammals
Check out the Vincent Wildlife Trust Ireland species profile page
Learn about Ireland’s ladybirds and contribute to the Ladybird Atlas 2025
Record your sightings of ladybirds to support the work of the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
Learn about frogs and join in with the Hop to It – Irish frog survey
Record frog sightings with the Irish Peatland Conservation Council
Learn more about dragonflies
Find out more about dragonfly identification and consider becoming a spotter!
Build a nest box for birds and wildlife
Check out these nest box designs from Birdwatch Ireland!
Learn more about Biodiversity in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown
Check out Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Biodiversity resources!
Find out more about the DLR Hedgehog Campaign
Learn more about hedgehogs and how you can help them
Hedgerows and native trees (video)
Improve your garden for biodiversity: the importance of hedgerows and trees
Wild flowers and meadows (video)
Learn how to improve your garden for biodiversity: wildflowers and meadows
How to improve your garden for birds (video)
Learn more on how to encourage birds into your garden
How to create a log pile (video)
Create a forest floor eco-system in your own garden
Contact us
To contact one of our volunteer Biodiversity advisors, get in touch by email – biodiversity@volunteerdlr.ie
Gardening for Biodiversity is a project run by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Volunteer Centre and funded by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council