When Caring for God’s acre joined us for a zoom webinar in April, they informed us that the area covered by churchyards and burial grounds in England and Wales combined is the size of the Isle of Wight. While each space is relatively small, add it together and it becomes significant.
In addition, churchyards have particular potential to become mini wildlife oases, as they have often been relatively untouched over centuries. Just small changes to our management can produce big results.
Bishop Robert and Diocesan Environmental Engagement Officer, The Revd Cate Williams, visited a range of churchyards recently, to find out how (and why!) various worshipping communities have approached the idea of encouraging biodiversity in their churchyards:
In the Diocese of Gloucester, there is a small grant available to churches wanting to get started on wildlife friendly management of the space. Churches have used it for tools, bird/bat boxes, bug hotels, hedgehog homes, seeds or plug plants, often working in partnership with schools and wider community.
Cate Williams is available to be contacted by anyone who would like a conversation about how to get started.
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