Press Release

Press Release Archive: Thursday 30 September 2010

Play your part in nature's recovery

The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust wants everyone to help change the way the natural environment is managed and create A Living Landscape, putting wildlife back on the map.

In Spring 2011, the Government will publish a Natural Environment White Paper - a report which will set out the recovery plans for the UK’s wildlife and fragmented habitats. They want to hear your views on how nature in the UK should be protected and enhanced – for us all to enjoy. The Government's online survey only takes a couple of minutes to complete. Please complete the survey and play your part in nature's recovery. For a link to the survey and more information about why the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust believe the White Paper is important, go to www.playyourpart4nature.org.uk Paul Learoyd, Chief Executive, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust said: "With your support we could have a strong White Paper that helps us all make our countryside, coastlines and towns richer in wildlife." Current nature conservation policy focuses on protected sites (eg Sites of Special Scientific Interest). The recently published Government report, Making Space for Nature, recognized that wildlife can’t survive on these small, isolated sites alone. The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has the vision to work on a landscape scale and is already working with partners and communities on a number of Living Landscape schemes such as the fenland restoration at Willow Tree Fen and the survey and management of wildflower-rich roadside verges through the Life on the Verge project. The time is now for the Government to feel the weight of public support for more action. Paul continued: "Everyone has a fundamental right to a healthy natural environment. We know many people within Lincolnshire beyond our 25,000 members have a passion for wildlife and so we want to encourage them to have their say.  This is an opportunity to make a real difference and help lay solid foundations for the future."

Notes for Editors

1. A Living Landscape is a recovery plan for nature, championed by The Wildlife Trusts since 2006, to help create a resilient and healthy environment rich in wildlife and provide ecological security for people.  Living Seas is The Wildlife Trusts’ vision for the future of the UK’s seas.  Within Living Seas, marine wildlife thrives, from the ocean depths to the coastal shallows.
   
   
2. Collectively The Wildlife Trusts manage 2,300 nature reserves covering more than 90,000 hectares, attracting around 6.5 million visitors each year.  As well as protection, these sites need to be expanded and buffered, with connections and stepping stones created between them.  This will enable species to adapt to a changing climate.
   
   
3. The Wildlife Trusts have more than 100 Living Landscape schemes covering at least 1.7 million hectares.  Natural processes also need to be restored so they can operate to their full potential for our benefit and so wildlife can thrive.   In 2007/08, The Wildlife Trusts restored more than 550 hectares of wetland habitat and 27 kilometres of watercourses.
   
   
4. The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and wild places throughout the historic county of Lincolnshire – from the Humber to the Wash.
   Working closely with partners in Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North-East Lincolnshire the Wildlife Trust has promoted large scale habitat management and restoration through a range of projects such as Life on the Verge and the fenland restoration at Willow Tree Fen. Further information can be found at on our Living Landscape pages.
   

For further information please contact

Rachel Shaw, Public Relations Officer
Tel: 01507 526667   (ansaphone out of office hours)
Fax: 01507 525732
Email: Rachel Shaw

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
Banovallum House
Manor House Street
Horncastle
Lincolnshire LN9 5HF

Website: www.lincstrust.org.uk