UK NEWS Stag beetles are one of many species in danger. UK UPDATE Wildlife Trusts launch biggest ever appeal to kickstart nature’s recovery by 2030 s we struggled through the worst Craig Bennett, chief executive of The pandemic in living memory, the Wildlife Trusts, said: “We’ve set ourselves THE CHANGES WE NEED Aimportance of nature in our lives an ambitious goal — to raise £30 million Some examples of projects gearing up became clearer than ever. Science shows and kickstart the process of securing to help bring back 30%: that humanity’s basic needs — from at least 30% of land and sea in nature’s food to happiness — can all be met with recovery by 2030. We will buy land to n Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is hoping a healthy natural environment, where expand and join up our nature reserves; to restore natural processes and wildlife surrounds us. we’ll work with others to show how to healthy ecosystems on a huge scale But sadly, nature is not all around us, at bring wildlife back to their land, and we’re in their Wild Peak project, bringing least not in the abundance it should be. calling for nature’s recovery through a back more wildlife and wild places. Many of our most treasured species like new package of policy measures including hedgehogs, bats and basking sharks are big new ideas like Wildbelt.” n Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife all at risk, as well as many of the insects Wildlife Trusts are fundraising to tackle, Trust is planning a number of that pollinate our food crops. on a scale not seen before in the UK, the reintroduction projects, from Loss of wild places and the breaking up joint climate and ecological emergency. beavers to cirl buntings and choughs. of those that remain into small fragments Restored habitats will capture carbon, has had a disastrous effect. Only 10% of helping to tackle climate change, and bring n Lancashire Wildlife Trust is helping land is protected in the UK and much people the health benefits associated with to combat climate change at the of this is in poor condition. While some contact with the natural world. There are first ever UKcarbon farm, which areas of the seabed are officially protected, amazing projects right on your doorstep is locking up carbon and bringing harmful activities such as bottom trawling that need support to take flight. back wildlife habitat as the are only banned in a handful of locations. Craig added: “The next ten years must peatlands are restored All is not lost, as we know how to turn be a time of renewal, of rewilding our at Winmarleigh. things round: we need to see nature’s lives, of green recovery. We all need recovery happening across at least 30% nature more than ever and when we n Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is of our land and seas by 2030. This would succeed in reaching 30 by 30 we’ll have planning to restore reed beds, fen enable our wild places to connect and wilder landscapes that store carbon and swamps and meres, increasing allow wildlife to move around and thrive. provide on-your-doorstep nature for water resilience on Bourne The Wildlife Trusts are fighting to make people too. Everyone can support and North Fen, supporting improved this a reality through our new 30 by 30 help us to succeed.” agriculture and water quality — campaign, and we recently called for a which is good for wildlife — new landscape designation for England Support our campaign today to whilst reducing flood risk. called “Wildbelt” that would put land in to bring our wildlife back: STAG BEETLE WHITTAKER/2020VISION TERRY © STAG recovery for nature and help us reach 30%. wildlifetrusts.org/30-30-30 2 Magazine Name | Winter 2020 20WIN_UK_News_FINAL_D.indd 2 18/09/2020 09:17 NEWS UK UPDATE UK HIGHLIGHTS New ambassadors for nature Discover how The Award-winning actor Alison Steadman, nature’s recovery, and encourage more Wildlife Trusts are 1 Bradford-based GP and TV presenter Dr people to take action. helping wildlife 2 Amir Khan, presenter and filmmaker Speaking about her new role, Alison across the UK Hannah Stitfall, science communicator Steadman said, “I’m extremely proud of all 3 Sophie Pavelle and Iceland managing the work the Wildlife Trusts do with the director Richard Walker local communities in which they work, but are taking up the new have come to see that collectively, they’re 1 Hip hip hoor-hay! role of Ambassadors a force to be reckoned with. Their work Cumbria Wildlife Trust have recently for The Wildlife is important, from big picture landscape taken ownership of Bowberhead Farm, Trusts. The nature restoration, to encouraging and supporting home to internationally important enthusiasts will people like you and I to do our bit for flower-rich northern hay meadows — use their voices, wildlife, whether it’s in our garden, or a rare habitat with only 900 hectares influence and campaigning on issues close to our heart.” left in existence. In time these meadows audiences to could help create a joined-up network help us raise You can learn more about our new of restored, wildflower-rich grasslands awareness of ambassadors and hear their views on across Cumbria and northern England. the urgent The Wildlife Trusts’ website: cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/ need for wildlifetrusts.org/ambassadors bowberhead 2 Crane comeback A pair of common cranes has bred at Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust’s Willow Tree Fen. This is the first pair to breed in Lincolnshire in over 400 years. Crane’s were driven to extinction in the UK in the sixteenth century, but a small number returned in 1978 and eventually started breeding. The population has slowly grown and spread, with 56 pairs attempting to nest in the UK in 2019. lincstrust.org.uk/willow-tree-fen Safer areas at sea 3 Duke’s reprieve In 2019 an independent panel was tasked protections for the marine environment, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust by the Government to review whether giving nature the best chance of purchased Deacon Hill, Winchester’s only Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) recovery. By removing all pressure, from remaining stronghold for the endangered could be introduced to English waters. fishing to construction, our shallow seas, Duke of Burgundy butterfly. This is a Over 3,000 Wildlife Trust supporters shores and diverse seabeds can become crucial piece of land in a network of sites responded to the panel’s consultation, healthier, more productive and full of around Winchester that are managed by backing our call for HPMA introduction. life once more. the Trust with wildlife in mind. HPMAs would offer the strictest possible wtru.st/help-our-seas hiwwt.org.uk/deaconhill ALISON STEADMAN © CLEARWATER PHOTOGRAPHY, SPINY STARFISH © LINDA PITKIN/2020VISION, CRANES © NIKKI WILLIAMS NIKKI © CRANES PITKIN/2020VISION, LINDA © STARFISH SPINY PHOTOGRAPHY, CLEARWATER © STEADMAN ALISON Magazine Name | Winter 2020 3 20WIN_UK_News_FINAL_D.indd 3 18/09/2020 09:17.