Saving the small things that run the planetBuglife is championing the use of green or ‘living’ roofs as a way of making more habitat for bugs.
Green roofs have been around for centuries and were traditionally used to insulate and waterproof buildings.
Over the past few decades people have begun to see the potential of green roofs as homes for wildlife. They could also have an important role to play in providing new habitat for the animals made homeless by the development of brownfield sites, and for bugs which already live in towns, gardens and parks to have more suitable habitat to move into.
To differentiate from the traditional green roofs using sedums, roofs for wildlife are known as ‘Living Roofs’.
These use a thin, low nutrient growing medium on top of various layers which prepare and protect the building. Low nutrient soils are ideal for the wildflowers and plants that attract pollinators and other bugs.
There have already been some great results installing Living Roofs in London through Buglife’s Living Roofs for London’s Wildlife project and our Living Roofs for Camden’s Wildlife project. Whilst our Scottish team have delivered Living Roofs in Grangemouth through the Glorious Green Roofs project.
Buglife is working with numerous partner organisations to green as many roofs as possible, to find out which kinds work best, and offer help and advice for people who want to turn a grey old roof into a buzzing, vibrant home for wildlife.
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MembershipEvery contribution helps us to save the small things that run the planet by restoring vital habitats and rebuilding strong invertebrate populations in the UK.
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