The recent announcement by the Prime Minister to protect 30 per cent of the UK’s land for biodiversity by 2030 is very welcome – it’s a good start. But the Government seems to think there is more land currently protected for nature than is actually the case. The protections in place for our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are designed to protect the landscape, not the wildlife. The wildlife in many of these places is really struggling because of overgrazing, poor management or intensive agricultural practices. Even government designated sites protected for nature are in a poor state and suffering wildlife declines.
We now need to see a much greater level of urgent action on the ground to deliver on the ambition set out by the Prime Minister, and to put nature into recovery. This means rescuing the wildlife sites currently in decline, while also making more space for nature through a new wildlife designation called Wild Belt, specifically aimed at putting nature in recovery – protecting and connecting nature right across the country.
Watch below to hear our CEO, Harry, talk about the new 30% pledge by Government and what we want to see emerge from it...
30 by 30 donation form
Our natural world is in trouble
This is no secret. Wildlife is disappearing at an alarming rate - some are calling it the next mass extinction - and the threat of climate catastrophe is a constant worry. We live in a time of emergency.
There is still hope - we can tackle both of these critical issues - but we have to act now. Time is running out.
The Wildlife Trusts are calling for at least 30% of our land and sea to be connected and protected for nature’s recovery by 2030. Making more space for nature to become abundant once again will give our struggling wildlife the chance to recover and also restore beautiful wild places - places that store carbon and help to tackle the climate crisis.
30% is the bare minimum that nature needs to start recovering but we are far short of this and need your help to turn things around...Chief Executive, The Wildlife Trusts
We can do this together
By joining our mission for nature's recovery, you will make a real difference to wildlife and our natural world. Every pound donated will help us achieve our vision for a wilder future. Together we can restore huge peatlands, which store carbon and become a home for threatened birds like curlews and golden plovers. We will create new wetlands, which reduce the risk of towns and villages flooding and are also great for dragonflies and water voles. We will plant new underwater seagrass meadows to soak up carbon and shelter sea horses and other sea life.
Nature has given us so much, it's now our turn to give back.