Reconnecting with nature

Andy McConnachie, founder of Lost Habitat, believes the future state of our environment is determined by peoples’ choice today, and their values in the way they live. He wants to create connections with people and nature through ecological landscaping and re-wilding practices by introducing wildlife stepping-stones, bringing nature closer to peoples’ outdoor space across Devon for benefits of nature, our planet and for our well-being.

Being born in Devon, growing up in Dartmoor, and having recently graduated from Plymouth University in Land & Ecological Restoration, receiving a master’s with distinction, Andy has had a natural instinct to care for wildlife from a young age, and passion to teach people about the wonderful positive effects of water, the environment, and everything sharing these precious ecosystems.

Wildlife ponds and wetland habitats are diminishing rapidly across Dartmoor, amphibian numbers are reducing, and it’s estimated less than 20% are considered as priority habitat. By creating wildlife ponds between naturally occurring buffers, such as streams, allows free movement, an ecological connection creating habitat for large numbers of aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna. Creating a pond in your garden will attract an array of wildlife, they are a visual magnet and refuge for calm thought, adding huge aesthetic benefit to gardens and helping to prevent habitat loss.

Understanding the ecology of the outdoor environment, Lost Habitat enhances people’s outdoor space, working with nature to attract wildlife and to allow free movement, helping to prevent habitat fragmentation by creating stepping stones and corridors, such as the incorporation of wildlife ponds, edible gardens, perennial food systems, sensory gardens, refuges for wildlife such as hedgehogs, or bird boxes, sustainable structures from boardwalks and wooded pathways to hidden mediation areas, community gardens, wildflower schemes and meadows.

Lost Habitat ensures natural equilibrium with nature and humans, creating beautifully diverse landscaped gardens, promoting the true value of our natural environment by enhancing people’s outdoor space utilising ecological landscaping and rewilding techniques. By working in this way, we will combat against ecosystem stressors such as the future threat of climate change, pollution, and flooding.