Research has demonstrated that nature plays a vital role in improving physical and mental wellbeing and yet many people are disconnected from their natural surroundings and rarely spend time in nature.   

In a speech to members in Winchester this Saturday, Debbie Tann, Chief Executive, will say: “There’s complacency here when it comes to the state of the natural environment.  Although our county looks green and pleasant, our wildlife is in freefall.  This is important – not just because of the incredible plants and animals that we are losing, but because we all depend on the natural world for our own survival and for the health of our society. We have to act now to tip the balance in favour of nature’s recovery.”

Over the past 50 years, 56% of species have declined across the UK, with 15% now at risk of disappearing altogether. 

In Hampshire there have been dramatic reductions in species such as water voles, nightingales and even common species like the large white butterfly.  This loss is being driven by intensive agriculture, climate change, development, recreation pressure and unsustainable use of natural resources. 

Debbie Tann will go on to say that: “While the Wildlife Trust has achieved great deal in the past few decades – creating fantastic safe havens for wildlife on our nature reserves, working with others to improve areas for wildlife and offering hundreds of thousands of opportunities for people to connect with nature – we cannot hope to turn the tide by ourselves.  We need many more people on nature’s side and much, much more space for wildlife”.

A paper published by the Wildlife Trust sets out the changes that they would like to see:  from re-wilding large areas of land and new approaches to farming, housing and business, to wilder towns, cities and gardens.  The paper suggests that 30% of all land should support wildlife and also calls on Government to make sure that new laws set ambitious targets for nature’s recovery.

The Wildlife Trust is inviting people from across the county to have their say in what a wilder Hampshire should look like and are encouraging individuals to play their part by making space for wildlife in their own gardens, considering changes to their lifestyles that could help the environment and by asking their MP to support an ambitious new Environment Act.