This agreement is between you, the host, and Sawn to be Wild Ltd ("we" or "us"). It covers what we give you, what we ask of you in return, and who is responsible for what. It applies to everyone who hosts a Sawn to be Wild habitat, whether you're an individual, a household or a community group. Section 12 adds a few extra points for groups and organisations.
By ticking "I agree to the host agreement" on our website, or by registering a box, you agree to these terms. You must be 18 or over, or have a parent or guardian agree to them for you.
1. What you get
You get one or more wildlife habitats free of charge. These include bird boxes, bat boxes, bee hotels and swift boxes. Each one is:
- made by Sawn to be Wild from surplus timber;
- paid for by a sponsor, so it costs you nothing;
- given its own habitat code (for example STBW-000010) and QR code on the front;
- given its own page on sawntobewild.com, where people can see what's been spotted there.
We may also offer installation help, such as a community install day, but we can't promise this everywhere.
2. Who owns it
Once you receive a habitat, it's yours to keep. You don't have to return it, and we won't charge you for it.
We ask you to keep it as a wildlife habitat and to follow this agreement while it's up. If you no longer want it, please tell us so we can find it a new home (see section 9).
3. Registering your boxes
Every habitat has a private registration code on its back panel. You agree to register each box you receive at sawntobewild.com/claim within 14 days of receiving it, or as soon as it's put up if that's sooner.
Registering tells us where the box is. That lets it appear on the map (by rough area only) and lets us show its sponsor the difference it's making.
If you pass a box on to someone else, such as a neighbour or a member of your group, give it to them unregistered and ask them to register it with the code on the back. They then become its host under this agreement.
If a box isn't going to be used, let us know and we'll find it a new home. If a box hasn't been registered after 14 days, we'll send a friendly reminder.
Keep the registration code private, as anyone who has it can register the box.
4. Permission and putting it up safely
You confirm that you own the space where the habitat goes, or have permission from whoever does. For example, that could be your landlord, the council, a school or a housing association.
When you put it up, you agree to:
- fix it securely, using fixings suited to the surface (tree, wall, fence or outbuilding);
- follow our installation guidance for its height and the direction it faces;
- work safely, especially at height. Use a stable ladder and have someone with you;
- not fix it anywhere it could block a path, a window or an exit, or fall onto people.
Putting it up is your responsibility. If you're not confident doing it safely, ask us or a competent person to help.
5. Looking after it and protecting wildlife
Wild birds, their nests and eggs are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. All UK bats and their roosts are protected by law too, even when the bats aren't there. You agree to:
- leave it alone while it's in use. Don't open a box, look inside or move it while birds may be nesting (roughly March to August), and don't use flash photography close to it;
- only clean bird boxes between September and January, when they're empty. Use boiling water rather than chemicals;
- never open a bat box. Only a licensed bat worker can check inside one;
- keep pets and feeders sensible. Don't put a feeder right next to a nest box, and keep cats away from it where you can;
- leave the habitat as it is. Don't paint or treat it, or change its entrance hole, as this can harm the wildlife using it.
If you think a box is being disturbed or damaged, or you find something that worries you, email us.
6. The QR code, habitat page and map
The QR code on the front of the habitat links to its public page on sawntobewild.com. You agree to keep the QR plate in place and visible where you reasonably can.
- Your address is never shown. The page and the map show only a rough area, such as "Raynes Park". Your street, postcode and exact location are never shown. If you chose not to appear on the map at all, we respect that.
- Anyone can log sightings. People who scan the code can report what they've seen, leave a message or upload photos. We check everything before it appears on the page.
- We decide what appears. We may choose not to publish something, or remove it later, for example if it shows a person or identifies your home.
7. Sponsors and branding
Your habitat is paid for by a sponsor, usually a local business. Its page, and sometimes the box itself, may say who funded it.
You agree to leave any Sawn to be Wild or sponsor branding on the habitat as it is. We may tell the sponsor how their habitats are doing, such as the rough area, whether it's in use and what's been spotted. We never give them your name, address or contact details without asking you first.
8. Staying in touch
About once a year, we'll ask you to confirm your habitat is still up and tell us whether anything has moved in. It takes a minute, and you agree to reply when you can.
These check-ins keep the map accurate and show sponsors the difference their habitats are making. We'll also welcome sightings and photos whenever you have them, through the QR code on the front of the box.
9. If things change
Please email hello@sawntobewild.com if:
- you move it to a different spot or a different address;
- it's taken down, damaged or lost;
- you move house and leave it behind for the next occupier;
- you no longer want it. We'll arrange for it to go to someone who does.
If you need to move or remove a habitat, do it outside the nesting season (September to January for bird boxes), unless it's unsafe to leave it. Never move a bat box that may have bats in it; ask us first.
10. Photos, videos and your personal data
Any photos or videos you upload are covered by our media terms. You choose each time whether they're for your habitat's page only or can help spread the word.
We use your details only to run the programme: to register your habitat, keep in touch about it and check in once a year. Our privacy notice explains what we hold, why, how long we keep it and your rights. You can ask us to update or delete your details at any time.
11. Responsibility
We make every habitat carefully from sound timber, and if our team puts one up for you (for example on an install day), we'll do that work with reasonable care. Once it's with you, you're responsible for where and how it's put up, and for keeping it safe.
We're not responsible for:
- damage to property, or injury, caused by how or where the habitat was installed, moved or maintained by you or someone acting for you;
- what wildlife does or doesn't move in;
- what visitors post through the QR code before we've checked it.
Nothing in this agreement limits our liability where the law doesn't allow it to be limited, including for death or personal injury caused by our negligence.
12. Extra terms for community groups and organisations
If you're hosting on behalf of a group, such as a school, community garden, allotment, friends group, church or residents' association, these extra points apply:
- A named coordinator. You'll give us one named person as our main contact, and tell us if that changes.
- Landowner permission. You confirm you have permission from whoever owns or manages the site (the council, school, housing association or landowner) before anything is put up.
- Every box registered. If your group receives several boxes to share out, you're responsible for making sure each one is registered, either by you or by the person who puts it up (see section 3).
- Children and the public. On school sites and public spaces, you'll follow your own safeguarding and health and safety rules. Ladders and tools stay with adults, and boxes go out of reach where children play.
- Photos of people. Only share photos showing children or members of the public if you have their consent (or a parent's or guardian's) under your own policies.
- Install days. If we run an install day with you, we'll agree the plan with your coordinator beforehand. Your group remains responsible for the site.
13. Ending the agreement, changes and contact
- Ending it. You can stop hosting at any time by telling us (see section 9). We may end the arrangement if this agreement isn't followed, for example if a habitat is being used in a way that harms wildlife. In that case we may remove it from the map and the network.
- Changes. We may update this agreement from time to time. We'll put the new version on this page with its version number, and email you about any important change.
- Law. This agreement is governed by the law of England and Wales.
- Contact. Sawn to be Wild Ltd, 3rd Floor, 86–90 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NE, hello@sawntobewild.com