State of nature update

Following the launch of the State of Nature in 2013, on 3 September 2014 the Rspb are hosting the Conference for Nature in Westminster.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/forprofessionals/conference-for-nature.aspx

I’m sure there will be more news to follow, but please listen to David Attenborough’s opening gambit here

http://vimeohttp://vimeo.com/105133745.com/105133745

and don’t forget to vote for Bob ! 

https://www.voteforbob.co.uk/

2013 State of the nature report- Groundbreaking report shows nature is in trouble

David Attenborough:

The islands that make up the United Kingdom are home to a wonderful range of wildlife that is dear to us all. From the hill-walker marvelling at an eagle soaring overhead, to a child enthralled by a ladybird on their fingertip, we can all wonder at the variety of life around us.

However, even the most casual of observers may have noticed that all is not well.

They may have noticed the loss of butterflies from a favourite walk, the disappearance of sparrows from their garden, or the absence of the colourful wildflower meadows of their youth. To gain a true picture of the balance of our nature, we require a broad and objective assessment of the best available evidence, and that is what we have in this ground-breaking State of Nature report.

This important document provides a stark warning: far more species are declining than increasing in the UK, including many of our most treasured species. Alarmingly, a large number of them are threatened with extinction.

The causes are varied, but most are ultimately due to the way we are using our land and seas and their natural resources, often with little regard for the wildlife with which we share them.

The impact on plants and animals has been profound

Although this report highlights what we have lost, and what we are still losing, it also gives examples of how we - as individuals, organisations, governments - can work together to stop this loss, and bring back nature where it has been lost. These examples should give us hope and inspiration.

We should also take encouragement from the report itself; it is heartening to see so many organisations coming together to provide a single voice, stating loud and clear what is happening to our wildlife.

This partnership, backed by a combined membership of millions and enabled by the heroic efforts of thousands of volunteer recorders, provides a powerful force to bring the UK's nature back to its former glory.

State of the nature, England report:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/england_tcm9-345846.pdf

Iolo Williams:

Watch this to feel inspired, daunted, depressed, raging, emotional and driven.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnJQjtvngqA

Laura

Two thirds of North West homebuyers would consider paying more for a house with a wildlife-friendly garden

Frog home

A survey has revealed that nearly seven out of 10 people in the North West would consider paying more for a property that has a wildlife-friendly garden. 

Together, the RSPB and Rightmove asked 1,548 people across the UK a series of questions relating to gardens and garden wildlife. 

In answer to the question ‘would you pay more for a house with a wildlife friendly garden?’ 16% of people in the North West surveyed answered ‘yes, definitely’, another 9% answered ‘probably’ and 41% said ‘maybe’. 

Of those surveyed in the North West, more than 9 out of 10 (91%) said they were happy when they saw wildlife in their garden, and 83% feel they have a duty to protect wildlife.

Across the region, three quarters of respondents agreed that gardens play a role in helping to save some of the threatened species in the UK.

The survey was carried out to get an insight into people’s knowledge and interest in UK garden wildlife following the launch of the RSPB’s new campaign, Giving Nature a Home, which aims to help tackle the crisis facing the UK’s threatened wildlife. 

Hedgehog home

The charity is urging the nation to provide a place for wildlife in their own gardens and outside spaces and hopes to inspire people across the UK to create a million new homes for nature. 

TV homes expert, Linda Barker, is supporting the campaign. She said: “To me, having wildlife in your garden is the perfect finishing touch to any home. Planting wild flowers, digging a pond or creating a log pile for bugs is not just a good way of getting creative and making your garden more attractive, but it will also benefit threatened garden wildlife at the same time. 

“Individual actions will make a difference and start to help tackle the lack of habitats for some of our wild creatures. In my garden I’ve put up a nest box for birds and planted nectar-rich flowers to attract bees. If everyone can do just one thing and gave nature a home in their outside space it would be amazing - together we can make a big difference.”

Sarah Houghton, RSPB campaign manager, said: “The results of this survey are really encouraging. To find out that the majority of people in the North West think having a wildlife-friendly garden is so important they’d consider paying more for one is great news. Nature in the UK is in trouble and some of our more familiar garden species are amongst those suffering serious declines. Gardens provide a valuable lifeline for things like starlings, toads, hedgehogs and butterflies, so we want to persuade people to give nature a home where they live – it could really help make a difference.”

Matthew James, Head of Communications at Rightmove, comments: “The garden has always been one of the key aspects many buyers consider when looking for their dream home, and for some it can even end up being the deciding factor.  For so many homebuyers to say they would consider paying more for one is a very promising sign for the Give Nature a Home campaign. Wildlife-friendly gardens, as well as helping to prevent a further decline in some species, can be a great way for families to enjoy the outdoors and learn more about the creatures that live, quite literally, on their doorstep.”

The launch of the RSPB’s Giving Nature a Home campaign comes after 25 wildlife organisations, including the RSPB, released the groundbreaking State of Nature report revealing 60 per cent of the wildlife species studied have declined over recent decades. 

http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/stateofnature_tcm9-345839.pdf

Nestbox

Sarah from the RSPB continued: “There are all sorts of jobs you can do in your garden at this time of year that will help give nature a home. From planting bulbs ready to attract bees and other insects next year; building or buying a hedgehog shelter, also known as a ‘Hogitat’, ready for them to hibernate in; digging a pond or tidying-up your existing one; or putting up nest boxes in time for next spring.

“And those who want to rest not work this weekend can still do their bit for nature. Holding off on pruning your hedges is a great way of helping wildlife without actually having to do anything.  Leaving them until around February next year means the berries will be able to be eaten throughout the winter.”

The RSPB is offering free expert advice to people on how to give nature a home in their outside spaces - whether it’s a huge garden or a small planting tub on a balcony. 

By visiting the RSPB’s website people can get their free Giving Nature a Home starter guide, pledge their support by sharing plans, pictures, tips and ideas with others.  The site also gives more information about what the RSPB is doing to give nature a home in the wider countryside. rspb.org.uk/homes

RSPB's biggest ever campaign. Giving Nature a Home

Nestbox

RSPB aims to tackle housing crisis with plans to build one million homes in the UK

Nature charity needs Merseysides help with its biggest ever campaign. The RSPB has today launched a campaign to help tackle the housing crisis facing the UK s threatened wildlife. Giving Nature a Home will urge the nation to provide a place for wildlife in their own gardens and outside spaces.

The charity hopes to inspire people in Merseyside to help towards creating a million new homes for nature across the UK.

The launch of the campaign comes a month after 25 wildlife organisations, including the RSPB, released the groundbreaking State of Nature report revealing 60 per cent of the wildlife species studied have declined over recent decades.

Many garden favourites in Merseyside were among the creatures shown to be in serious trouble including starlings, hedgehogs, some butterflies and ladybirds. All are in danger of further declines unless more is done to provide better habitats.

Young starlings

Getting individuals and families from Merseyside to act for nature in their own gardens is the first part of a package of actions that the RSPB is launching in response to the State of Nature. Over the course of the next few months, the charity will be outlining what businesses, communities and politicians in the county can do, as well as detailing the RSPB's own plans for saving nature.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/science/stateofnature/index.aspx

Amanda Miller, RSPB Conservation Manager for Northern England, says:  Nature in the UK is in trouble and some of our more familiar garden species are amongst those suffering serious declines. Merseyside gardens provide a valuable lifeline for species like starlings, toads, hedgehogs and butterflies, which are struggling to find homes in the wider countryside.

 

Hedgehog box

Although the overall problem is huge, the solution can start on a small scale, right on our doorsteps. It doesn’t matter what sort of garden you have, what size it is, or even if you have no garden at all, we need everyone to help by turning their outside space into a wildlife haven.

The more people that get involved in our Giving Nature a Home campaign the better. Our aim is to provide one million homes for nature across the UK, because if there s no home for nature, then there s no nature   it really is that serious.

TV homes expert, Linda Barker, is one of the famous faces supporting the campaign. She said:  I m getting behind the RSPB s campaign because, to me, having wildlife in your garden is the perfect finishing touch to any home.

Frogs in  garden pond

 Planting wild flowers, digging a pond or creating a log pile for bugs is not just a good way of getting creative and making your garden more attractive, but it will also benefit threatened garden wildlife at the same time. Individual actions will make a difference and start to help tackle the lack of habitats for some of our wild creatures. In my garden I’ve put up a nest box for birds and planted nectar-rich flowers to attract bees.

Red admiral on sedum

Small copper & bee

If everyone can do just one thing and gave nature a home in their outside space it would be amazing - together we can make a big difference.

To help spread the word, the RSPB has joined up with Rightmove, the UK's number one property website, to help promote the campaign to homeowners, renters and those looking to get onto the property ladder.

Bee box

Matt James from Rightmove, said:  Though we re more used to helping people find a home than helping them build one, when the RSPB told us about the parlous position of some of the UK s favourite species we felt compelled to throw our support behind the campaign. More than a million people visit Rightmove every single day looking for a new place to call home and we’ll be doing our bit to spread the word about just how easy it can be to make a difference.

logpile

To spread the word and inspire individuals from a across the country to build homes for nature in their own gardens and balconies, the RSPB is embarking on its first-ever primetime TV advertising campaign, beginning on 5 July.

Over the coming months the RSPB s Burton Mere Wetlands reserve on the Dee Estuary and the Ribble Discovery Centre at Lytham St Anne s will be running a series of events and activities linked to Giving Nature a Home. For more information, visit www.rspb.org.uk/reserves. 

The Giving Nature a Home website will give everyone access to expert advice about helping nature in any outside space - whether it s a huge garden or a small planting tub on balcony - at www.rspb.org.uk/homes

By visiting this website people can get their free Giving Nature a Home starter guide, help populate a map by telling the charity when and where they ve given nature a home, and share pictures, tips and ideas with others.  You can also find out more about what the RSPB is doing to give nature a home in the wider countryside.