Devon Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves Officer Randy Mayers attended a reception at 10 Downing Street to meet Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The reception was called by the Prime Minister’s office to thank people who had been on the frontline of this summer's extreme weather events (2026), including wildfires.
In August, Randy was a key person in the aftermath of wildfires which struck two Devon Wildlife Trust managed Valley Parks in Exeter. The fires badly damaged areas of Mincinglake and Barley Valley Parks.
The 10 Downing Street reception was an opportunity for Randy and others to tell the Prime Minister about the impact of wildfires and the increasing challenges that a rapidly changing climate is having on nature, landscapes and local communities.
Randy was invited to the reception along with colleagues from Hampshire, Lancashire and Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trusts.
Looking back on the day, Randy Mayers said:
“First responders and emergency services rightly deserve our gratitude and admiration for the work they do, and those of us working to restore nature and build resilience in our landscapes also have a crucial role to play in reducing the negative effects of a changing climate.
It was great to attend Number 10 and to get to network with representatives of different organisations from across the UK. It was an opportunity to reflect on our most recent challenges and more importantly sharing hope and a common mission for building resilient systems and communities.”
The charity Devon Wildlife Trust manages 60 nature reserves across the county including seven Valley Parks in Exeter. The Valley Parks are managed by Devon Wildlife Trust on behalf of their owner Exeter City Council.
