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Friday, May 07, 2021

Wilder Somerset 2030

In this post I am hoping to focus on how my local Wildlife Trust here in Somerset is developing a new approach to its work of protecting nature. I am looking forward to a major Zoom meeting presentation on the 19th May when I hope to hear details of its plans and the thinking behind those plans. On the Trust web site they start with a quote from Sir David Attenborough. ( I have just finished reading his impressive book ""Life on Air" and I recommend it to all. So I know the extent of his lfe work in documenting wildlife around the world and pay attention to what he says) The Wildlife Trusts play a very important part in protecting our natural heritage. I would encourage anyone who cares about wildlife to join them. Sir David Attenborough Here is a short extract from the Trusts web site: Bigger, better, more joined up At the heart of our Wilder Somerset 2030 is tripling the amount of land managed for nature. It’s a significant challenge, but one we can only achieve if we work together. We need to create a strong, interconnected network of wild spaces and healthy habitats that provide space for nature to thrive and and restore the resilience of our ecosystems at a landscape scale, which can then provide healthy soils, clean air and water. Land of any size can contribute to this Nature Recovery Network – nature reserves, community spaces, gardens, farms, parks, churchyards and schools – it works at any scale. " Wilder Somerset 2030 Protect and restore Our work over the decades has slowed the rate at which species have been lost, and has protected important habitats in Somerset but we must now take a more radical and urgent approach and involve many more people in acting locally for nature’s recovery. Small things add up to make a difference. But the challenges nature is facing are vast, so we are all going to have to think bigger, think bolder and take more action together to have the impact that’s needed. At the heart of our Wilder Somerset 2030 is tripling the amount of land managed for nature. It’s a significant challenge, but one we can only achieve if we work together. We need to create a strong, interconnected network of wild spaces and healthy habitats that provide space for nature to thrive and and restore the resilience of our ecosystems at a landscape scale, which can then provide healthy soils, clean air and water. Land of any size can contribute to this Nature Recovery Network – nature reserves, community spaces, gardens, farms, parks, churchyards and schools – it works at any scale." So I await with high hopes as the plans are rolled out around Somerset and especially to see how our local group , "The Heart of the Levels" , can play a part! I hope to pass on more news in the near future.