Summer's coming and thousands of young creatures are fighting desperately for survival in our gardens. They need our help. Making our gardens more wildlife friendly is easy.

Long grass and wildflower areas are valuable for many species including butterflies. The
Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper butterflies all lay their eggs on long grasses.

However, it is important that you don't cut this grass until September; by cutting it in July/August you will remove all the butterfly eggs and caterpillars. Nettles provide food for the caterpillars of the Red Admiral, Peacock and Painted Lady butterflies. For more information about helping butterflies and moths: Butterfly Conservation at www.butterfly-conservation.org or Tel: 0870 774 4309.

Rotting Wood is a common feature in the wild. Violets thrive on it and it is an essential habitat for many insect species which are amongs the most threatened creatures on the planet. Resist the temptation to be too tidy - a woodpile in a shady corner can be a haven for all kinds of wildlife and a valuable introduction
to children about nature.

Hedgehogs: nearly a quarter of hedgehogs die before leaving their nests and an estimated half of the remainder don't survive their first hibernation. Hedgehogs
thrive on tinned cat or dog food - but not fish-based. They also like eggs, chicken and breakfast cereal. Don't give hedgehogs milk: they can't digest it. More
information from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society Tel: 01584 890801.

Avoid using slug pellets which not only kill slugs but frogs, birds, hedgehogs and other creatures which eat slugs. The poison also eventually finds
its way into streams, rivers and our water supply. Try using barrier methods to protect plants.

Put out water for birds and other creatures. Take care to place food and water for birds well away from places accessible to cats. Don't attract birds to their deaths. Research shows that cats with bells (on flexible elastic) catch 40% - 50% fewer birds than those without them. One dead parent bird can mean a nest
of dead babies. Ring the RSPB on 01767 80551.

Plant native trees and plants which have evolved with our wildlife over thousands of years. Avoid foreign exotic species which seldom support our native creatures. Wildflower seeds obtainable from Landlife Wildflowers Ltd., Lark Lane, Liverpool. 0151 737 1819 For native trees and shrubs contact The Woodland Trust: 01476 581 135 www.woodland-trust.org.uk. They can supply a wide selection of native trees and shrubs in packs of four costing approximately £10 per pack.

Visit The Wildife Trusts on www.wildlifetrusts.org.uk or Tel: 0870 036 7711 for a wealth of information.