THE habitats crisis facing birds, hedgehogs, toads other small animals is to be tackled with the biggest housebuilding project of its kind to secure the species for future generations.
The RSPB wants one million new animal hideaways built in gardens across the UK, with hopes that Scots will provide around 80,000 of them.
It comes in response to last month's State of Nature Report which said 60% of the wildlife species have declined over recent decades with the erosion of natural habitats a key threat to biodiversity.
Many garden favourites were among the creatures shown to be at risk including starlings, hedgehogs, bumblebees, toads and ladybirds.
In Scotland, particular species hope to benefit from new homes – which can be created in everything from a planting tub to a full-scale allotment – are the small tortoiseshell butterfly, earthworms, the house sparrow, swift and red squirrel.
Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, says: "Nature across Scotland is in trouble and some of our more familiar garden species are among those suffering serious declines.
"Gardens and local green spaces provide a valuable lifeline for species like starlings, toads, hedgehogs and bumblebees, which are struggling to find homes in the wider countryside.
"Although the overall problem is huge, the solution can start on a small scale, right on our doorsteps. It doesn't matter what sort of garden you have, what size it is, or even if you have no garden at all, we need everyone to help by turning their outside space into a wildlife haven.
"The more people get involved in our Giving Nature a Home campaign the better. Our aim is to provide one million homes for nature across the UK, because if there's no home for nature, then there's no nature – it really is that serious."
The Campaign is the first part of a package of actions the RSPB is launching. Over the course of the next few months, the charity will be outlining action plans for businesses, communities and politicians.
Linda Barker, television homes expert, is one of the famous faces supporting the campaign. She said: "I'm getting behind the RSPB's campaign because, to me, having wildlife in your garden is the perfect finishing touch to any home.
"Planting wild flowers, digging a pond or creating a log pile for bugs is not just a good way of getting creative and making your garden more attractive, but it will also benefit threatened garden wildlife at the same time."
In an unusual move, RSPB has joined up with property website Rightmove to help promote the campaign to homeowners, renters and those looking to get on to the property ladder.
Matt James, from Rightmove, said: "Although we're more used to helping people find a home than helping them build one, when the RSPB told us about the parlous position of some of the UK's favourite species we felt compelled to throw our support behind the campaign. More than one million people visit Rightmove every single day looking for a new place to call home and we'll be doing our bit to spread the word about just how easy it can be to make a difference."
The RSBP will also embark on its first-ever primetime television advertising campaign next month to promote its campaign.
For expert advice on how to build nature habitats visit www.rspb.org.uk/homes.
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