Protect butterflies and boost your mental health, people told

People are being urged to take steps to help butterflies and moths this spring as part of a project which

experts said could boost the mental health of those who take part. The campaign by charity Butterfly Conservation to prevent further declines in species of butterflies and moths comes after research found last year's lockdown saw an increase in the amount of people spending time in nature. The University of Cumbria study revealed 83 per cent of respondents said they had taken time to notice butterflies and bees.

Dr Kate Dent, director of engagement at Butterfly Conservation, said: “As spring finally arrives, we can all do our little bit towards helping butterflies, wherever we live, in the knowledge that it's helping our mental health too. Whether it's caring for herb seedlings in a window box, planting wildflowers in your garden or learning afresh how to breathe and feel the gift of nature in our local green spaces.”

Butterfly Conservation warned that 76 per cent of the UK's butterfly species have declined over the 40 years while numbers of UK larger moths have declined by more than 30 per cent in the last 50 years. The charity says the continuing decline of butterflies and moths is worrying for wildlife as a whole. As well as being important pollinators, the insects are part of ecosystems which support birds and mammals. Those interested can find more information at butterfly-conservation.org/nurturefornature