Small Wings, Big Lessons - Muslim Charities Forum

Spring is here and the sun is shining! Flowers are blooming in many colours. Butterflies are small creatures but mighty in the benefits they bring to humankind. The way that the UK landscape has changed, and the resulting biodiversity loss, is impacting our local communities right here in the UK. In alarming recent news, more than half of the UK’s butterfly species have populations in long-term decline due to land use change and habitat destruction.

It’s difficult reconcile that our everyday activities adversely affect butterfly populations. And yet it’s also vital that we understand the role that Muslim communities can play in supporting these species in the UK. Taking climate action through local, nature-based solutions is not only essential, it is also a deeply Islamic duty. Allah has created everything in this world with a purpose and everything is interconnected.

Why Are Butterflies Important To Us?

Allah, in His infinite wisdom, honours even the smallest of His creations in the Qur’an, such as the spider in Surah Al-Ankabut and the ants in Surah An-Naml, reminding us of the significance of His creation and the value of all beings, no matter how small. Furthermore, Allah imperatively highlights the significance of pollinators and talks to them specifically Surah Nahl (Quran 16:69), “And your Lord inspired the bees: “Make your homes in the mountains, the trees, and in what people construct, and feed from the flower of any fruit you please and follow the ways your Lord has made easy for you.” From their bellies comes forth liquid of varying colours, in which there is healing for people. Surely in this is a sign for those who reflect.”

Butterflies are ancient creatures, first appearing more than 150 million years ago. Today, they serve as key indicators of a healthy environment. Their presence signals the wellbeing of entire ecosystems, as they rely on diverse plant life and clean environments to thrive. Butterflies and moths are also essential in the food chain, providing nourishment for birds, bats, and other species. Insects, including butterflies, pollinate around 85% of our crops, delivering a natural service worth billions globally. Their disappearance would disrupt not only natural ecosystems but also our food systems, economies, and public health. In other words: a world without butterflies is a world out of balance.

Why Have Butterfly Populations Declined In The UK?

The short answer: habitat loss. The UK has seen drastic changes in land use, urbanisation, and intensive farming. The use of pesticides such as neonicotinoids has destroyed many of the flower-rich grasslands, woodlands, and wild meadows that butterflies depend on. According to The State of the UK’s Butterflies 2022 report, since the 1970s, 80% of UK butterfly species have declined in abundance or distribution. Butterflies that are habitat specialists, and rely on very specific conditions, have been hit hardest.

This biodiversity loss is not just an environmental issue; it’s a community one. The same degraded environments that push out wildlife also affect the people who live in them, through poor air quality, fewer green spaces, and reduced mental wellbeing. These are challenges many of our British Muslim communities know all too well.

What Can Our Communities Do To Help?

Simple actions, when done collectively, can have a powerful impact. Community gardens, tree planting, and creating pollinator-friendly green spaces around mosques or schools not only support butterflies but also improve air quality, mental health, and climate resilience. Plants such as lavender and buddleia are great way to attract butterflies and help create new habitats for them. There are specific foodplants for caterpillars that should be considered, as butterflies rely on them when choosing where to lay their eggs. Communities should be encouraged to incorporate wild spaces into everyday environments, be it at home, in offices, or places of worship. Charities and community organisations have a key role to play here. They are already trusted anchors of support and can also become catalysts for environmental restoration.

The Power of Partnership And Participation

Connecting with local conservation organisations can open doors to practical resources, community training, and joint action. These partnerships are vital not only for ecological impact, but for building relationships and trust between our communities and wider environmental networks.

Within Muslim Scouts groups, schools, and madrasas, butterflies can offer a gentle and engaging way to introduce children and young people to nature. A class walk using the Big Butterfly Count resources is simple, fun, and educational. These moments of connection can sow the seeds of a lifelong relationship with the natural world and a deep sense of responsibility for its care. Taking part in the citizen science projects like the Big Butterfly Count, evokes enjoyment in being able to connect with their local environment as well as sadness and concern by seeing the decline in butterfly populations when participating every year. Additionally, being involved in activities like this can provide a source of hope and usefulness as participants feel like they are contributing to research. Each young person who begins to care of a butterfly, a bee, or a tree, contributes to the cultivation of a new generation of compassionate caretakers, with a heightened sense of environmental responsibility and stewardship.

By reconnecting with nature through local biodiversity projects, our communities can lead the way in tackling climate change while living out the Islamic values of stewardship and compassion. This is more than environmental work; it’s a path to justice and collective empowerment. Now is the time to plant seeds of change, both in the soil and in our hearts. Spring is here, and the sun is shining. Flowers bloom in many colours, and butterflies, though small, carry mighty lessons about balance, beauty, and the interconnectedness of all life. Let’s answer the call to protect them, and in doing so, protect ourselves and future generations.

To discuss how your charitable organisation can get involved with climate action and become conservation-aware, please reach out to us at [email protected]