Celebrating Insect Week on Goodwood Estate

27th June 2024

Bugs and insects play vital roles in our ecosystem, from decomposing materials and recycling nutrients to pollinating crops, flowers, and trees. Beyond these essential services, they are also primary food sources for birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. The decline of insects has a cascading effect, impacting species higher up the food chain, including predators and, ultimately, ourselves.

The main drivers of insect decline include habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, increased traffic, and pollution. A good example of the acceleration of this loss is the agricultural intensification that occurred before and during World War II, as the UK government prioritised food security. The UK government saw that the nation needed to become self-sufficient in food production. Unfortunately, this push for self-sufficiency led to increased nitrate use, intensive farming practices, and habitat destruction, severely impacting biodiversity and insect populations.

At Goodwood, the dowager Duchess Susan, a trailblazer of Britain's organic movement, has long championed pesticide-free farming. Under her influence, the estate has embraced sustainable management practices and has been proudly free of pesticide use for a great number of years.

Where appropriate, the farm has implemented several initiatives to support insects, such as creating no-mow areas, planting wildflower strips, and establishing hedge margins. The forestry team are also phasing out plastic tree guards and are using the same organic principles as the farm. Over the past three years, the forestry department has planted more than 800 meters of new hedges and as part of an ongoing project, approximately 250 meters of hedgerows are laid a year, extending their lifespan and providing crucial habitats and food sources for invertebrates.

Other areas of the estate, including the golf course, racecourse, and motor circuit, have also left 'rough' areas to offer food and shelter for insects during the summer. These measures not only support insect populations by providing food and shelter, but also help retain soil moisture, reducing the need for watering and improving overall biodiversity, making these sites more resilient to climate change.

The Motor Circuit team introduced a total of 12 new bug hotels to the site in celebration of National Insect Week in June last year. These mini sanctuaries, created by the Goodwood grounds team during the winter months, uses waste wood, leaves and branches and provide a safe haven for insects and minibeasts, supporting biodiversity and vital pollination processes.

  • Sustainability

  • Estate

  • Sustainability

  • Estate