A new film produced by the Church of England’s Shrinking the Footprint Campaign sets out ways in which parishes can think about small scale practical steps to promote biodiversity and contribute to a more sustainable world.

Recent research has highlighted alarming warnings about biodiversity and the impact of climate change. One in six of species on the planet could face extinction in the future if the world’s leaders fail to take action on climate change, according to a study in the journal Science.

The importance of supporting the fragile balance of biodiversity in nature cannot be understated, and churchyards are wonderful examples of the richness and variety, hosting everything from 2,000-year-old ancient yew trees through to waxcap fungi, slow worms and hedgehogs. Churchyards are also homes to a range of different plants including meadow saxifrage and the green winged orchid.

In practical terms, our natural environment - including the Church of England’s estimated 10,000 churchyards - is important to the nation’s biodiversity. In many communities, churchyards are the only green lung and even in rural environments, the churchyard can be a vital oasis when nearby fields are chemical sprayed monoculture, offering little hospitality to wildlife.

From June 6, the Church of England marks Cherishing Churchyards Week, with parishes across the country celebrating their churchyards.

The week is run each year by Caring for God’s Acre, which provides resources and event plans for local churches looking to get involved. Whether you build a bug hotel, or learn to scythe like Ross Poldark, the hero of BBC’s Poldark, there’s plenty to help you think about the contribution that 10,000 churchyards make to our world.

You can read more about this on the Church of England’s blog, and find out about Cherishing Churchyards Week here.