Isabel first moved to the top of the Swansea valley with her husband 7 years ago. They had planned to create a beautiful garden for wildlife outside their little cottage. Soon after they moved in her husband passed away. Isabel set out to garden by herself now and threw herself into it with passion and love. 

Having never owned a garden but always been able to keep a small allotment Isabel was an avid gardener and veg grower. Pesticides were everywhere growing up:

"I remember my dad spraying the roses weekly." - Isabel 

After reading an article a few years ago about rewilding at the Knepp Estate her passion for nature friendly gardening and management practices bloomed. Her garden has a small pond, multiple vegetable patches, native hedges, pollinator friendly flowers and more. She manages her garden on ecological principles rather than horticultural principles and now reaps the benefits. As well as her abundance of fruit and veg Isabel enjoys watching the birds and butterflies visit and has a colourful garden all year round. 

Isabel spent some time researching wildlife friendly gardening methods and found that there were many videos on allotments and growing produce but few on gardening for wildlife. She therefore started a YouTube channel which now has nearly 3,000 subscribers and posts weekly videos. She has found the digital community extremely supportive and is always learning. You can view her channel here. 

"Who cares if I'm 70? Maybe people will see my channel and think, 'If Isabel can do it' then so can I'." - Isabel

I spoke to Isabel to get her advice for those looking to move away from more traditional gardening methods and she said:

"It is very different – it does make less yield but it’s a compromise and you can still grow things!" - Isabel

Her main advice was to plant native flowers. These are essential if you want local wildlife not only to visit your garden, but to inhabit it and breed there. Her favourite visitors have been Bee flies, Hummingbird hawkmoths and a White-letter hairstreak butterfly! This butterfly is designated as a species of principal importance under Section 7 of the Environment Wales (2016) Act. Many Garden Centres only stock a few native plants so look out for local growers like Celtic Wildflowers whose mission is to support the conservation of native flora. She also says netting is key for those who want to focus on fruit growing.

Not only has Isabel taken action for nature at home but she also takes part in citizen science for local rivers, working with Dŵr Cymru and West Wales Rivers Trust on the River Tawe. She has also successfully campaigned to reduce pesticide use by her local council. We got in touch with Isabel after she added her actions to our Team Wilder Actions map. If you are doing anything to help wildlife add yourself today and join the Team Wilder approach where every small action adds to a collective movement.