A MAJOR new project aimed at revealing garden-owners' attitudes to gardening for wildlife and generate a virtual conversation on a local and national level to share stories, successes and tips, is being launched by the Royal Horticultural Society and the Wildlife Trusts.

Wild About Gardens aims to bring the worlds of gardening and nature conservation closer together, to increase understanding of the significance of local wildlife character, celebrate what gardeners are already doing to support wildlife and build on existing research into the wildlife potential of domestic gardens.

A postcard survey is being carried out over spring and summer when people can take part by picking up a postcard at an RHS garden, calling their local Wildlife Trust or downloading the card from www.wildaboutgardens.org.

The website will also act as a forum for people to tell their garden stories and share their own experiences of local wildlife on the discussion boards.

Simon Thornton-Wood, assistant director of science and learning for the RHS, said: "Gardening for wildlife has gained popularity over the past few years. Research into the environmental value of domestic gardens has given us the popular blueprint for wildlife gardening, but research is still in its infancy and there is much we don't know about species and about local wildlife."

Stephanie Hilborne, chief executive of the Wildlife Trusts, added: "Creating a home for wildlife in your own garden, however small the space, is good for nature and immensely rewarding.

"All gardeners have the opportunity to make a difference and Wild About Gardens aims to give everyone the advice and inspiration they need to help maximise the potential of their garden nature reserves."