Gardens provide an important habitat for wildlife to live in and are invaluable green spaces especially in towns and cities, where nature can thrive. The Garden for Life scheme encourages wildlife in the garden and describes the benefits this will bring.

Environmental Friendly Gardening
The NTS has an Environmental Policy and the Gardens Department is in the process of defining how this will relate to its gardening operations eg in minimising the usage of peat compost, reducing pesticide use where practical and encouraging wildlife in its gardens.

Garden Archaeology
As with buildings, gardens are not static and are subject to change and development over time. Just as layers of wallpaper can be peeled back to reveal the tastes and fashions of previous eras, so the design of previous landscapes can be unearthed and artifacts discovered. See the NTS Archaeology site for further information.

Education in Gardens
Gardens provide a valuable classroom in which to learn about nature, plants and the environment. The NTS organises many school events where children are given guided walks around the gardens and grounds of a property. See the NTS Education website for more details.