For many tourism businesses, the quality and attractiveness of the area in which they are located is of exceptional importance. This is equally true for towns, cities and the countryside. Staying customers are most likely to choose the area they wish to visit before deciding on their accommodation within it. Local landscape, buildings, wildlife and, indeed, culture are important reasons for visiting a place – they form the unique treasure of the area.

41 Take care with grounds and gardens

Do not use salt to combat ice in winter. It not only harms flora and fauna around roads and footpaths, but also penetrates the groundwater. Use sawdust, sand or grit instead. Car parks do not need asphalt, concrete or paved surfaces. Porous gravel will serve just as well.

42 Encourage wildlife and inform guests about local wildlife

Natural space is becoming more and more scarce, and the destruction of natural habitats has led to the decline of many animal, bird, insect and plant species.

Environmental destruction can be avoided if we "let nature back in" to our garden facilities, including at Youth Hostels. Gardens have huge ecological potential, as long as they are managed properly. In addition, there is the reward of a lovely garden that offers a home to hedgehogs, butterflies, birds, amphibians, etc, and gives visitors to Youth Hostels an impression of how important all creatures are in the eco-structure. The gardens can be an educational resource for visitors (with labelling of plants, and information on the species within the garden).

The gardens should also address the "five senses": sight (the garden should be a beautiful sight, harmonious and rich in colour and variety); hearing (alive with bird song and the "whispering wind" in the leaves of the trees); touch (the varied textures of leaves, bark, fruits, etc); smell (flowers, such as roses, lilac, lavender; and herbs such as mint, thyme and rosemary); taste (fresh, organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs).

Creating a nature garden does not mean allowing the external facilities to go completely wild. It means a garden in which nature has enough space and nutrients to blossom. For this reason a nature garden should:

• Never be treated with poisonous chemicals (pesticides)
• As far as possible be planted with indigenous plant species
• Offer food, water and shelter to animals
• Avoid artificial fertilisers
• Display natural and untreated building materials (e.g. wood, stone, etc.)

How to achieve a "Wildlife Garden": elements and biospheres in a nature garden? These include:

• Hedges with indigenous shrubs and plants (a natural home for birds, small mammals, etc.)
• Fruit trees (apples, pears, plums, cherries, quinces, etc.)
• Soft fruit (raspberry, strawberry, gooseberry, blackberry, blackcurrant, redcurrant, etc.)
• Wildflower meadows
• Ponds
• Reed beds
• Rockeries
• Dry-stone walls
• Herbaceous plants and borders
• Herb bushes
• Vegetable patches
• Compost heap
• Bird nesting aids and small biotopes:
  - Nesting boxes
  - Bird feeders and bird baths
  - Hedgehog nests made of stones, leaves and twigs
  - Dead wood (for insects);
  - "Garden ark" (as a nesting place and shelter for many species)

43 Avoid the use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers

When maintaining parks, gardens and grounds in general, it is vital to avoid the use of pesticides and insecticides. The same rule applies to indoor greenery, such as winter gardens and hydroplants. There are many ecological alternatives today to the conventional products. Queries should be addressed to the specialists. When planting, avoid monocultures. Aim for the broadest possible section of domestic species, because they will thrive best in the climate. To water plants you do not need to draw drinking water from taps. Rainwater barrels can be placed outside.

44 Create your own vegetable, fruit and herb-garden

Growing food for use at the hostel saves money, ensures freshness, and removes the need to transport produce from suppliers. Organic methods can be used, and this is also an ideal project for volunteers to help with creating and maintaining the garden.