Page 2 - Wildlife News August 2019

Nature reserve & project
We are living in
unprecedented times.
At long last the state
of nature and the
environment is
grabbing the headlines! Wilder at heart
The past few
months have seen a
flurry of activities that have pricked
our collective conscience: the voice
of Swedish schoolgirl Greta Thunberg
rings in politicians’ ears, images of
school climate strikes dominated the
news, and central London was bought
to a standstill by activists, prompting
action on climate legislation.
At last we get it; we recognise the
fragility of our precious natural world.
But are we too late? The trusted voice
of Sir David Attenborough confirms
how delicate nature is – set against
a backdrop of our plastic-choked
oceans.
A landmark United Nations report
concludes that wildlife is in trouble. Sir
Robert Watson, co-chair of the Global
Assessment Report on Biodiversity
and Ecosystem Services explains: “The
health of ecosystems on which we and
all other species depend is deteriorating
more rapidly than ever. We are eroding
the very foundations of our economies,
livelihoods, food security, health and
quality of life worldwide.”
The report tells us that it is not too
late to make a difference, but only if
we start now at every level. Locally, we
have the influence to do something
about it and we look to the future with
optimism as we continue to make wins
for wildlife (see page 8).
It is the support of members like
you that gives us the means to work
with local communities, councils,
MPs and landowners to bring about
nature’s recovery. BBOWT supported
the Greener UK campaign to improve
the emerging Environment Act and
over the last year we’ve met 20 of our
21 MPs to ask that Nature Recovery
Networks be included. Mapping
where nature is and where more can
be done will help to focus effort. You
can help too! Find out how on page 11.
Thank you for your continued
support at this crucial time. I look
forward to seeing many of you at our
Conference in October.
Estelle Bailey, Chief Executive
2 Wildlife news / August 2019
XFORD
FESTIVAL OF
NATURE
So many headlines surrounding the state
of nature stir cause for alarm. But there’s
every chance we may have reached a
turning point in our attitude to wildlife. Are a talk on the truths behind some of the
more of us waking up to the reality that
wildlife is central to our wellbeing? Are we
looking for ways to welcome nature back
into our lives?
Judging by the crowds at the Wild
Fair on 1 June, it certainly seems that
way. The Wild Fair, held at the Oxford
University Museum of Natural History, in
partnership with the museum and Oxford
City Council, is the highlight of our two-
week Oxford Festival of Nature. This year’s
Wild Fair saw 4,500 people come along to
browse wildlife-themed stalls and enjoy a
range of expert talks. Visitors got to meet
crocodiles, say hello to bats, discover the
joys of wildlife gardening and get hands-
on with crafts and demonstrations.
30 Days Wild activities included planting
nectar-rich flowers. (NICK UPTON/2020VISION)
Sampling the stalls at June’s Wild Fair.
(RIC MELLIS)
The wider festival catered for everyone
with, for example, night-time safaris and
moth mornings, orchid extravaganzas, and
world’s most – and least – popular animals
by Springwatch presenter Lucy Cooke.
June was also The Wildlife Trusts’ fifth
annual 30 Days Wild challenge, when we
are invited to complete a ‘random act of
wildness’ every day of that month. It’s an
opportunity to pause and connect with
nature or do something to help wildlife.
Acts of wildness by BBOWT staff and
members included making a hole in the
fence for hedgehogs, walking (willingly!)
in the rain, or planting nectar-rich flowers
for butterflies and bees. Record numbers
signed up to this year’s challenge.
Towards the end of the month attention
turned to Milton Keynes for the MK Festival
of Nature, a nine-day celebration of the
nature found in the town’s green spaces.
Events such as the 24-hour ‘bioblitz’ and
naturalist Nick Baker’s talk on how to get
back in touch with our ‘wild’ senses were
hugely popular. The Nature Day on 6 July
capped it off with a variety of activities and
guided walks to explore the tranquil oasis
of Howe Park Wood.
There’s still ample opportunity to fuel
your awe of nature. Why not join us at BBC
Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace from
1–4 August. Find us in the Wildlife Zone
and be inspired by wildlife experts and
close encounters with a range of native
species. More at countryfilelive.com