Absence of nature’s recovery in today’s Autumn Statement puts future prosperity at risk Today the Government published its Autumn Statement. While The Wildlife Trusts are pleased that the Government remains fully committed to the UK’s climate obligations, including a 68% reduction in our own emissions, it is still not on track to meet this...
Hibernation – wildlife’s winter survival strategy
The Wildlife Trusts’ youth activism manager, Arran Wilson, draws on his background as a lecturer in zoology to explore what exactly hibernation is, and which animals rely on it to get through winter. Winter brings very different challenges to the UK’s wildlife – temperatures are lower and food is often harder to find. Many...
The Government misses Environment Act targets
The Wildlife Trusts have joined other nature charities in asking the Office for Environmental Protection to investigate the Government’s failure to publish required nature recovery targets by the stipulated deadline of Monday 31st October. The Government has broken the law by failing to set the targets – the Secretary of State, Therese Coffey, has...
Barn owls have a great breeding year
The results are in and 2022 has been a fantastic year for the barn owls of East Cleveland. The Tees Valley Wildlife Trust has released the results from its long-term barn owl monitoring project supported by many landowners. What a difference the weather makes. Compared to the previous season, the 2021 winter was mild....
#Defendnature We Need You
UK Government is seriously threatening our wildlife We know you are as angry as we are about UK Government’s plans to change nature and climate laws – and are asking you to help #DefendNature. Nature has really taken a battering; in the last week alone, UK Government has announced that they will be: Lifting the ban...
Her Majesty The Queen – a tribute from The Wildlife Trusts
We are extremely saddened by the death of Her Majesty The Queen and send our deepest sympathies to the Royal Family. Queen Elizabeth II dedicated her life to public service and was celebrated for her passion for the outdoors, the countryside and rural life, lending her support to the work of The Wildlife Trusts...
Peat sales to be banned by 2024
40 years of campaigning sees end to the destructive use of precious peat in gardens Ban will apply to peatsold in retail outlets in England Defra reveals that 95% of those who responded to its consultation were in favour of a complete retail sales ban Following campaigns run by The Wildlife Trusts and others,...
Avian flu – the latest symptom of our ailing ecosystems
This deadly disease is having a devastating effect on our already struggling wild bird populations. At this time of year, the UK’s cliffs and beaches are usually alive with the chaos and frenzied activity of thousands of nesting seabirds. However, this year, many of the same sites are now littered with dead and dying...
A sea full of superheroes
Forget Aquaman! Read on for the real superheroes in our seas… Earth’s mightiest heroes don’t wear capes or Lycra suits. They roam the land, soar through the skies, and swim through the seas. They’re wild wonders, armed with abilities we can only dream of. Some even use their powers to save the world, a...
New legal protections edge England closer towards wild beaver return
The Wildlife Trusts welcome new legislation and call for sensible beaver management guidance Defra has announced new legislation that will provide legal protections for beavers in England and could pave the way for the animals to be released into the wild under licence. The Wildlife Trusts welcome the protections for “nature’s engineers”, calling for...
New Highly Protected Marine Areas shortlisted
Joy as degraded ocean areas chosen for new gold standard of marine protection The first step has been taken towards the designation of England’s first Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) – as Defra announces a consultation on five proposed HPMAs. These will be the strongest ever protection measures for our seas. The Wildlife Trusts...
Government U-turn on promise to reform farming post-Brexit
New farming policy stripped of ambition to aid nature recovery The Government has broken its promise to reform farming post-Brexit. In its National Food Strategy published today, the Government’s commitment to provide a third of its farming budget for Landscape Recovery has been abandoned. In the run up to the publication of the new...