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How to Support Nature at Work

You don’t need to be a conservationist to make a positive impact on nature.

Whether you're working from home, in an office, or on a large business site, there are many ways to support the environment and encourage biodiversity. With a few small changes, your workplace can become part of the solution to protecting nature.

Here’s how you can help nature thrive at work…

Green Your Office Space

Creating a nature-friendly workplace doesn’t have to be complicated. Adding plants and adopting greener habits can make a big difference.

Introduce Office Plants: Indoor plants like peace lilies, spider plants, and snake plants improve air quality and provide a connection to nature, reducing stress and boosting productivity. Opt for low-maintenance varieties that thrive in office conditions.
Eco-Friendly Office Products: Choose products made from recycled materials, such as paper, pens, and folders. Replace disposable items (like plastic cups and single-use coffee pods) with reusable alternatives to reduce waste.
Paperless Office: Going paperless reduces deforestation and waste. Encourage digital documents, online note-taking, and e-signatures. If printing is necessary, use recycled paper and print double-sided.

Create Outdoor Green Spaces

If your workplace has outdoor space, transforming it into a haven for wildlife is easier than you think. A greener office exterior can benefit both employees and nature.

Plant Native Species: Add native flowers, shrubs, and trees to outdoor areas like courtyards or company gardens. Pollinator-friendly plants such as lavender, clover, and wildflowers will attract bees and butterflies, promoting biodiversity.
Wildflower Areas: Instead of manicured lawns, consider dedicating a portion of the grounds to wildflower meadows. These areas require less maintenance and provide a rich habitat for wildlife.
Green Walls and Roofs: Installing green walls or living roofs on buildings can create habitats for birds and insects while also improving insulation and reducing energy costs. Sedum and wild grasses are excellent low-maintenance choices.

Support Pollinators at Work

Pollinators, especially bees and butterflies, are crucial to the ecosystem. Here’s how your workplace can support them:

Install a Bee Hotel: Set up a bee hotel in outdoor spaces to provide solitary bees with a place to nest. They are non-aggressive and excellent pollinators.
Grow Pollinator-Friendly Plants: Encourage staff to plant pots or window boxes with nectar-rich flowers, such as lavender, daisies, and marigolds. Even small green spaces can make a difference to local pollinator populations.
Avoid Harmful Chemicals: Ensure any gardening or landscaping done on-site avoids pesticides and herbicides, which can be harmful to bees and other insects. Consider using organic or wildlife-safe alternatives.

Provide Shelter for Wildlife

Your workplace can support local wildlife by creating safe spaces for them to thrive.

Install Bird Feeders and Nesting Boxes: Set up bird feeders and bird boxes in outdoor areas to attract a variety of bird species. This helps birds find food and safe nesting spaces, particularly during winter and spring.
Wildlife Corridors: If your workplace is in a rural or suburban location, create hedgehog-friendly spaces or wildlife corridors between green areas, allowing animals to safely move through the landscape. Simple measures like leaving small gaps in fences can help.
Build Bug Hotels: Bug hotels made from wood, straw, and other natural materials provide shelter for insects like beetles, ladybirds, and solitary bees, which are important for healthy ecosystems.

Encourage Staff Participation

Engaging employees in supporting nature creates a shared sense of responsibility and promotes team-building.

Organise Green Teams: Set up a workplace "green team" to spearhead sustainability initiatives and wildlife-friendly projects. This could include activities like planting trees, creating a company garden, or participating in local conservation efforts.
Promote Volunteer Days: Offer employees the opportunity to volunteer for conservation projects or wildlife charities. Many organisations offer paid volunteer days, which can be used for local tree planting, beach clean-ups, or habitat restoration.
Host Environmental Challenges: Organise office-wide challenges such as “Plastic-Free Week” or “Zero-Waste Month” to encourage staff to reduce their environmental impact and learn more about supporting nature.

Reduce Your Environmental Footprint

Lowering your office’s carbon footprint not only helps nature, but also saves costs in the long run.

Energy Efficiency: Upgrade to energy-efficient lighting, like LED bulbs, and encourage staff to turn off equipment when not in use. Install motion sensors in meeting rooms to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
Sustainable Transport: Promote greener commuting options. Offer incentives for cycling, carpooling, or using public transport. You can also encourage remote working or hybrid models to cut down on travel emissions.
Sustainable Office Supplies: Buy eco-friendly products made from sustainable materials, like bamboo or recycled plastics. Choose suppliers with strong environmental credentials and avoid single-use plastics in office kitchens.

Support Sustainable Practices in the Supply Chain

The way businesses source their products and services can have a significant impact on the environment.

Green Procurement: When sourcing office supplies or services, choose vendors that follow sustainable and eco-friendly practices. This includes everything from paper suppliers to catering companies.
Reduce Waste: Implement robust recycling systems for paper, plastic, and food waste. Ensure that staff are aware of recycling practices and provide clearly labeled bins.
Encourage a Plant-Based Diet: If your workplace has a canteen or provides catering, consider offering more plant-based options. Reducing meat and dairy consumption is a simple but effective way to lower carbon emissions and reduce pressure on land use.

Small Actions, Big Impact

Supporting nature at work doesn’t require drastic changes—just a series of small, thoughtful actions that, together, can make a significant difference.

From creating green spaces to reducing your environmental footprint, every step you take helps wildlife and encourages biodiversity.