In August of this year Butterfly Conservation, a UK based charity, declared a butterfly emergency.
Their numbers have dropped from 50% from last year. This is lowest result in the 14-year history of the Big Butterfly Count.
Ian Paterson, Chairman of the Lincolnshire branch of the charity, told us that the county has “lost 10 butterfly species since our records have begun.”
He says this is partly due climate change as well as the increase in farmlands and deforestation.
The charity believes next year’s results will improve if urban, green spaces are utilised.
“Any space like a community centre, a garden, allotments could be used to create a wild space that will sustain and improve butterfly populations in their area.” – Ian Paterson
There is more advice on gardening for butterflies on the charity’s website.
