 |
We have lost many of our ancient bluebell woods
Image: K. Walker |
This evening, the Response for Nature report will be launched at events in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. BSBI is one of 26 conservation and research organisations who contributed to the report, which builds on 2012's State of Nature report, to which we also contributed.
BSBI Scottish Officer Jim McIntosh will be representing BSBI at the Edinburgh launch, and our General Secretary Chris Metherell will be at the London launch, along with one of our botanical experts - Prof Richard Bateman, BSBI Co-referee for Orchids. Ryan Clark (BSBI Meetings & Communications Committee) will also be present but this evening he is a part of the A Focus on Nature team - a voice for the next generation of nature-lovers, and one which all coalition partners hope will be heard loud and clear this evening.
 |
Declines in our wildflower populations
caused by loss/degradation of habitats
impact negatively on other wildlife
Image: R. Clark |
This joint press release is issued today - it explains why Response for Nature is so important and why BSBI is proud to be one of the 26 organisations in the coalition:
An ambitious and inspirational long-term plan is urgently
needed to save nature and improve our well-being – that is the clear message
from the Response for Nature report published today by a coalition of leading
conservation organisations.
The Response for Nature report for England, a follow up to
the 2013 State of Nature report, will be launched by naturalist, writer and TV
presenter, Steve Backshall, and 26 conservation organisations at Church House
in London this evening (Tuesday, 13 October), while simultaneous events will be
held in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, to launch reports for Scotland, Wales
and Northern Ireland.
 |
Harebells: once common in
England, now Near Threatened
on England Red List
Image: R. Clark |
Each report makes key recommendations that governments must make
to help restore nature in the UK. We are losing nature at an alarming rate, so
we must act now to halt and reverse this decline before it’s too late – not
only for nature itself, but people too.
In 2013, scientists from 25 nature organisations worked
side-by-side to compile a stock take of our native species – the first of its
kind for the UK. The resulting State of Nature report* revealed that 60% of
the species studied had declined over recent decades. More than one in ten of
all the species assessed were under threat of disappearing from our shores
altogether.
In his speech at tonight’s London launch Steve Backshall
will say: “The State of Nature report revealed where we are. Now we need a plan
for where we should go. The Response for Nature document starts us on that long
road.
“Let us be in no doubt that the public is behind us. An
independent survey showed that 90 per cent of the UK population feel that our
well-being and quality is based on nature.**
 |
One of Ryan's favourite places
for getting in touch with nature
Image: R. Clark |
“Action can’t be simply hived off to a single, hard-pressed
department in Whitehall. It must run as a matter of course through every
department, from Defra to the Treasury. Every department needs to understand
that restoring nature will be a key solution to some of our most pressing
social, environmental and economic problems. Every individual, from top to
bottom, needs to embrace it, and act on it.
“To the Government, I say – please read this report, take
note and act on its recommendations. Come back with the details of your 25-year
plan. People and nature need you to make it a great one.”
The Response for Nature reports outlines specific asks for England,
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to help save UK nature. To ensure its
recovery, nature needs the UK Government, or devolved Government’s, to take the
following common actions now:
Deliver an inspiring vision for nature – nature needs to be
a part of our lives. Government must set a trajectory for nature’s recovery so
that, by 2040, we have a country richer in nature and can see people connecting
to nature.
Fully implement and defend the laws that conserve nature – our
most important laws that safeguard species and special places, the Birds and
Habitats Directives, are under threat. We must resist attempts from Europe to
weaken our laws and ensure the full implementation of legislation that aims to
reduce pressures on nature.
Deliver a network of special places for nature on land and
at sea – we need special places to be protected and well managed, and linked
within a wider landscape with room for people and nature.
Recover threatened species targeted through programmes of
action – we must halt species extinction, but more than that, we should be
restoring priority species to favourable conservation status, where populations
recover to a healthy state.
Improve the connection of young people to nature for their
health and well-being and for nature’s future
Provide incentives (or other financial measures) that work
for nature – we need to reward those who enhance our natural world, and make
those responsible pay when we take more from it than we put back.
Support people working together for nature – we all have a
part to play in saving nature. Each and every one of us needs to take care
about, and take action for, nature – before it’s too late.
 |
Declines in plant populations
and loss/degradation of habitats
impact negatively on our wildlife
Image: R. Clark |
Butterfly Conservation Chief Executive, Dr Martin Warren,
who will be speaking at the Response for Nature launch tonight, said: “Nature
is in trouble, the time to act is now. Conservation NGOs are keen to play their
part but we need a strong lead from the UK Government. We welcome the
commitment to produce a 25 year plan to restore nature but this must be turned
into effective action and fast. We need this for nature but also for the health
and well-being of the people of this country.”
As the Chancellor considers the Spending Review and budgets
for Government Departments, the Response for Nature coalition is urging them
not to undervalue the contribution that a healthy environment can make in
delivering a host of public benefits including improved health and happiness,
more effective planning, flood prevention, sustainable farming and climate
change adaptation.
Martin Harper, RSPB Conservation Director, said: “There are
some big decisions being made over the coming months about public spending, the
future of nature laws and development on land and at sea. These decisions
must not erode the basis of nature protection. We need leadership from the
Prime Minister to ensure all Government Departments play their part in
enhancing the environment for this and the next generation.”
The Response for Nature coalition for England includes the
following partners:
 |
Declines in plant populations
and loss/degradation of habitats
impact negatively on our wildlife
Image: R. Clark |
A Focus on Nature
A Rocha UK
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust
Bat Conservation Trust
Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland
British Bryological Society
British Pteridological Society
Buglife
Bumblebee Conservation Trust
Butterfly Conservation
Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
The Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland
Freshwater Habitats Trust
Friends of the Earth
The Fungus Conservation Trust
John Muir Trust
The Mammal Society
Marine Conservation Society
National Trust
People’s Trust for Endangered Species
Plantlife
RSPB
Whale and Dolphin Conservation
The Wildlife Trusts
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
The Woodland Trust
*
In 2013, 25 nature organisations worked side-by-side to
produce the State of Nature report, a stock take on all our native wildlife.
The report revealed that 60 per cent of species studied have declined over
recent decades. More than one in ten of all species assessed were under threat
of disappearing from our shores altogether. A full copy of the State of Nature
report can be found: https://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/stateofnature_tcm9-345839.pdf
**European Commission (2013) Flash Eurobarometer 379:
Attitudes towards biodiversity. November 2013.
Public attitudes and support for nature reflect the range of
reasons why nature conservation is important. An independent survey published
by the European Commission revealed that
94 per cent of the UK population believe we have a moral
obligation to halt the loss of nature, 90 per cent feel that our well-being and
quality of life is based on nature and 88 per cent believe that nature is
indispensable for the production of goods, such as food, fuel and medicines.
Ryan Clark 
Chris Metherell 
