University expert works with Royal Mail on special stamps to celebrate incredible array of wildlife that inhabits gardens across the UK
A wildlife expert at Nottingham Trent University has worked with Royal Mail on a special ten-stamp set that explores some of the species that inhabit the nation’s gardens.
By Dave Rogers | Published on 6 March 2025
Categories: Press office; Research; School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences;
Professor Dawn Scott, Executive Dean of the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences at NTU, has a background in researching urban wildlife ecology, and supported on the selection of which species to feature.
She also provided background information on the different species for the presentation packs.
The gardens of the UK support a huge diversity of wildlife.
The wildlife shown on the stamps are commonly seen and readily identifiable – they are also widespread and include some of our most popular species.
Featured on the stamps are: a Fox; Blackbird; Common Frog; Blue Tit; Badger; Smooth Newt; Hedgehog; Robin; Buff-tailed Bumblebee; and Garden Snail.
Professor Scott said: “It was fantastic to work with Royal Mail to celebrate our iconic British garden wildlife in this special collection. Gardens can provide havens for a rich diversity of wildlife, this collection highlights just a few. I hope the beautiful images inspire people to continue to support wildlife in their own gardens.”
David Gold, Director of External Affairs and Policy at Royal Mail, said: “British people are renowned for their love of gardens, and no matter how small, in urban or rural areas, wildlife can thrive there. These stamps capture the rich diversity of wildlife found in gardens across the UK, and remind us how lucky we are to live so close to nature.”
Wildlife of the UK
Within the millions of gardens in the UK, there is a wide range of habitats, including flowerbeds, shrubs, lawns, ponds and compost bins, each providing resources to support a plethora of species.
Positive management of our gardens – such as increasing flowering-plant diversity, reducing chemical use and providing natural food resources and refuges for hibernating animals, not only benefits our wildlife but also gives us immense benefits from increasing biodiversity.
Wildlife pollinates our plants to provide us with fresh fruit and vegetables. Wildlife recycles the waste in our compost bins and eats insects to keep control of their numbers. Gardens and green spaces have also been shown to be beneficial for our physical and mental health. All that is needed is a space in which wildlife can thrive, and humans feel the benefits.
The stamps, and a range of collectible products, are available to pre-order from today (6 March) at www.royalmail.com/gardenwildlife and by telephone on 03457 641 641. A Presentation Pack including all 10 stamps is priced at £13.40. The stamps go on general sale from 11 March.
Notes for Editors
Press enquiries please contact Dave Rogers, Public Relations Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8782, or via email.
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has been named UK ‘University of the Year’ five times in six years, (Times Higher Education Awards 2017, The Guardian University Awards 2019, The Times and Sunday Times 2018 and 2023, Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023) and is consistently one of the top performing modern universities in the UK.
It is the 3rd best modern university in the UK (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023). Students have voted NTU 1st in the UK for student employability (Uni Compare 2025)
NTU is the 5th largest UK institution by student numbers, with over 40,000 students and more than 4,400 staff located across six campuses. It has an international student population of almost 7,000 and an NTU community representing over 160 countries.
NTU owns two Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for outstanding achievements in research (2015, 2021). The first recognises NTU’s research on the safety and security of global citizens. The second was awarded for research in science, engineering, arts and humanities to investigate and restore cultural objects, buildings and heritage. The Research Excellence Framework (2021) classed 83% of NTU’s research activity as either world-leading or internationally excellent.
NTU was awarded GOLD in the national 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) assessment, as it was in 2019.
NTU is a top 10 for sport (British Universities and Colleges Sport league table 2023).
NTU is the most environmentally sustainable university in the UK and second in the world (UI Green Metric University World Rankings, 2023).
About Royal Mail Special Stamps: For more than 50 years Royal Mail’s Special Stamp programme has commemorated anniversaries and celebrated events relevant to UK heritage and life. Today, there are an estimated 20 million* stamp collectors worldwide.
About International Distribution Services plc: International Distribution Services plc is the parent company of Royal Mail Group Limited, the leading provider of postal and delivery services in the UK and the UK’s designated universal postal service provider. Royal Mail comprises the company’s UK and international parcels and letters delivery businesses operating under the “Royal Mail” and “Parcelforce Worldwide” brands. Through the Royal Mail Core Network, the company delivers a one-price-goes-anywhere service on a range of parcels and letters products. Royal Mail has the capability to deliver to around 32 million addresses in the UK, six days a week (excluding UK public holidays). Parcelforce Worldwide operates a separate UK network which collects and delivers express parcels. International Distributions Services plc also owns General Logistics Systems (GLS) which operates one of the largest ground-based, deferred parcel delivery networks in Europe.