There is more to living in an eco-friendly way and protecting the environment than just thinking about our own actions and lives. Humans have a dramatic impact on the environment regardless of how green our lifestyle are and many other members of our local environment are suffering as a consequence. Conservation and being aware of our local eco-systems is incredibly important for the future of our environment. Here are some ideas on how you can get stared with conservation and:

• Help protect many endangered species
• Live in harmony with the local eco system
• Benefit from local wildfire
• Encourage endangered species into your garden
• Help your plants, flowers and vegetables thrive

Much of our native plants and wildlife are under threat and many of them are crucial for sustaining our eco systems. But there is a lot you can do to not only lessen the impact we have on our environment but also to help our native plants and animals survive.

Bumble bees, believe it or not, are not only one of the most important species of animal in the British Isles and Europe they are in a terrible decline. Several species in Britain and across Europe have become extinct and others are on the verge. These animals aren't aggressive or dangerous and they are key to pollinating a huge variety of plants and flowers, including many of the fruits and vegetable we humans rely on! Bumble bee nesters provide a safe and dry nesting site for the bees and can help in the decline of this important pollinator.

Growing flowers will also help strengthen their numbers and attract them to your garden but avoid disrupting the natural ecosystem in your area. Non-native plants can wreck havoc on habitats. Choose native plants or wild flowers that can provide food and shelter to native wildlife. Even if you don't have green fingers there are wild flower growing kits that will also encourage butterflies and other insects to your garden.

Allowing an area of you garden to grow wild will also attract insects and in turn different species of birds will be encouraged in to the garden. Birds are a delight to watch from the kitchen window and there is a huge range of bird boxes and bird feeders to encourage the myriad of different birds we are fortunate to have in this part of the world.

Many bird species are in decline, not jut native ones either. The numbers of migratory birds are dwindling too for a whole host of reason from climate change to over development. House martins and swallows in particular are becoming rarer to our shores but providing a safe nest like a swallow or house martin bowls may help encourage them back. These can even be fitted to houses in urban areas as can bat boxes. Bats are elusive, enigmatic and rare but if you can encourage them into the garden they can be fascinating creatures to observe.

We can often harm our environment without even realising it. Chemicals to rid the garden of weeds or insects will harm innocent species too so it is far better to rely on natural methods to protect our plants and flowers and providing homes for some animals can help us. Frog and toad houses or a hedgehog house will attract creatures who will feed on slugs and insects that damage your garden - don't be tempted to feed a hedgehog bread and milk though as contrary to popular belief it is very bad for them. Fertilizers and lawn feed can also be damaging too wildlife so try using natural alternatives. If manure is in short supply, consider a wormery. Wormeries allow you to recycle your food waste and turn it into some of nature's finest fertilizer.

For those keen on observing wildlife, technology now means we can watch some of nature's most delicate moments without disturbing the wildlife. Camera nesting boxes are one example and can provide some fascinating and education footage. Insect study centres are another great way of educating and learning more about nature and conservation.