This video explores how the leading conservation charity Plantlife collaborated with the village of East Linton, Scotland, to successfully champion wildlife-friendly gardening. 

Organised by Plantlife, the project took the shape of a local competition, providing the structure needed to encourage over 50 households in a village of 2,000 to participate. This approach gave people the confidence to leave their grass unmowed without worrying about neighbourly pressure. To support the community, Plantlife and local organisers brought in a botanist for expert guidance, whilst village schools integrated the conservation effort directly into their curriculum through student-led poster campaigns.

Transitioning to this ‘shaggy’ style of gardening provides immediate, essential habitats that support local pollinators and avian species. As Plantlife demonstrates through this project, co-ordinated community action yields significantly greater ecological benefits than isolated individual efforts.