The Election

Just to start this post I am pleased to be able to show these photographs taken in our local nature reserve meadow in the last week or so. The cowslips are looking great and the fungi has not been seen there before. A Morel fungi I think!

 

 Now for the election!

 

This is what the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts is saying about the Election debate.

 

Public urged to tell politicians:

We care about wildlife

30th March, 2010

Conservationists are urging the public to help stop further wildlife loss by encouraging their local MPs and Prospective Parliamentary Candidates to sign a new ‘wildlife pledge”, to do all they can to stop and reverse wildlife decline.
A consortium of 11 wildlife charities, including The Wildlife Trusts, have pulled together the pledge to help reverse the rapid decline in our wildlife - both species and habitats. It was recently reported that around 500 species have become extinct in England in the recent past and conservationists are appealing to the public to help make wildlife a top priority for politicians and stop further species being lost.
The Wildlife Pledge, which can be viewed online at www.wildlifepledges2010.org.uk  is supported by wildlife organisations representing more than two million people. It includes the promise to take action in tackling climate change and to help wildlife meet this challenge. It also looks for commitment from politicians to help reverse the decline of farmland wildlife by the effective promotion of nature-friendly farming, as well as to provide children with contact with the natural world as part of their education.
The pledge gives Prospective Parliamentary Candidates the opportunity to express their support and commitment to various aspects of wildlife conservation. The public can view which candidates have given their support for this issue before the election. Conservationists are encouraging people to then contact their Prospective Parliamentary Candidates informing them how important this issue is and that their response to the pledge may affect the way they vote.
Stephanie Hilborne, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said:
“The actions of the next government are absolutely crucial to ensuring a future for our wildlife. One of the many challenges they will face will be to implement the Marine Act to restore our seas and also to restore the natural environment on land. It is vital that we have MPs in the new parliament who understand and appreciate these challenges and keep the next government on its toes.”

To find out if your local candidates have signed the pledge, visit www.wildlifepledges2010.org.uk

Story by RSWT

More Information

The consortium of 11 organisations involved with the Wildlife Pledge is as follows: Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Bat Conservation Trust, Buglife, Butterfly Conservation, The Grasslands Trust, Mammals Trust, Plantlife, RSPB, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, The Wildlife Trusts and the Woodland Trust.