"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead, American anthropologist, 1901-1978
Around the world, there are many groups of committed people who are making sure wildlife have the space they need to survive and thrive. Please find a group to join so that you can be a part of their journey to help wildlife. If we all pull together, we can really power through change for the better. The more of us who help create, protect, care for and save existing and new spaces, the better.
The Devon Wildlife Trust is on a mission to raise £58,000 by the 31st January 2025 to buy land right next to Stourton Quarry, which the Trust already owns. Collaven Moor could provide a haven to a wide range of threatened wildlife, including willow tits, southern damselflies and marsh fritillary butterflies. Please find out more and - and if you can donate and/or spread the word, that would be wonderful!
The World Land Trust's Big Match Fortnight Appeal is over now but fundraising continues to protect 14 MILLION acres in the Ecuadorian Amazon. And their partner, Nature and Culture International, have a match for this appeal which lasts until the 31 December 2024. Their project - the Amazonian Platform—will protect a continuous stretch of forest spanning millions of acres of some of the planet’s most biodiverse, carbon-rich places. Please donate if you can here and your donation will be matched 2x until 31 December 2024. You can still donate through the World Land Trust if you prefer
On the 3rd November 2024, there will be March for Clean Water in London. Gather at 11am at the Albert Embankment, London SW1 7HDF and remember, wear blue to represent rivers flowing through London. The March starts at 11:45. The rally begins at 1:30pm @Parliament Square, London SE1P 3BD. We must stop the poisoning of Britain’s water! Look for @marchforwater on social media. #WEARBLUE #FLOODTHESTREETS . The march organisers are River Action. They are on a mission to rescue Britain’s rivers.
The 23rd October is the 11th International Snow Leopard Day. Celebrate with the Snow Leopard Trust and take the opportunity to spread the word about snow leopards and what we can all do to protect both this special big cat and the ecosystems on which snow leopards and other wildlife depend. Find out how 12 nations came together and set aside their differences to create International Snow Leopard Day.
The Cumbria Wildlife Trust has an incredible opportunity to create a new reserve at Skiddaw Forest - it will be the highest in England - but it needsed to move quickly to raise £1.250,000. The Trust has already maanged to raise 80% of the purchase price. It is a fantastic opportunity to protect 3,000-acre wilderness can be protected for nature, forever. And on 16th Oct 2024, supporters them hit the target! Find out more here. Please donate here.
Tragedy at the Elephant Nature Park
Tragedy has struck in Thailand at the Elephant Nature Park near Chang Mai, home to over 100 elephants and other animals. It's been hit by severe flooding - two elephants have tragically died. Many of the elephants are blind, injured, old or sick. World Animal Protection have set up an appeal here.
Please visit the Nature Park's Facebook page for updates
Borrowdale is the largest temperate rainforest in the UK - it's in the beautiful Lake District. Temperate rainforests are vital carbon stores, and home to animals, plants and fungi!. And Borrowdale has just become a protected nature reserve, as a result of a decision by Natural England and the National Trust! You can find out all about it here.
And the 27th September is Save the Koala Day. The amazing country musician Andy Penkow has collaborated with the Australian Koala Foundation to bring you “Heavy on Me”. This song encourages us all to stand up and speak for those who have no voice - the animals. Find out more here.
By the way, the 4th October is World Animal Day, to mobilise us all to make the world a better place for animals. Find out more here.
On BBC2 on Friday 23 August 2024 at 9pm, there's Brian May: The Badgers, The Farmers and Me - find out more here
This is a great opportunity to raise awareness of elephants and how we can help them ! #WorldElephantDay #BeElephantEthical There's a list of elephant charities here and have a good look around the World Elephant Day's website to find out more about these stunning animals and why they matter to the envrionment so much.
Animal magic at work
This website is about wildlife, but I came across this on You Tube, as you do, and couldn't resist adding it to show how amazing animals - and dogs in particular - are at smoothing the waters, and giving people a smile and a better day! If only they were in charge in Parliament! (We could have Larry the Cat from Downing Street, as PM in charge of them all.) Thank you, Jenny, and dogs everywhere for all you do. By the way, you could take a look at the Anti-Poaching dogs - they need our support!
The 31st July is World Ranger Day - to commemorate those incredibly brave people - men and women - who have given their lives in the line of duty protecting our beloved wildlife. It is also a chance to acknowledge the work they do. Please find out more here.
The Durham Wildlife Trust has successfully raised the £54,000 needed to buy the land next to Rainton Meadows to accelerate their plans to create wetland and meadow habitats in the fields. Find out more about the appeal here.
The Wildlife Trust of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire in England have a Beaver Appeal to enable them to bring beavers back to Northamptonshire! They are marvellous eco-engineers - find out more about the appeal here.
The WWT (Wildfowl and Weltands Trust) have produced this great video to show how important garden ponds are to wildlife. Now that the nights are drawing in, this is a great chance to spend some time discovering more about the power of ponds and working out how you can add water to your garden for wildlife, including mini-ponds.
Visit WWT here.
Those amazing people at the Koala Clancy Foundation have great news for koalas and other wildlife - they've all been very busy planting trees and they've hit over 30,000 trees in 2023! This just shows what can be done when groups of people work together for a cause. Find out more
The book "Earthshot" says that you and I can be part of the problem facing the planet - or we can be part of the solution. Two things we can do is to protect the natural world and to reduce our impact. "Urgency + Optimism = Action."
There's a website aiming to educate people into why you shouldn't poison bats you find in your home - it's a wonderful resource. Find out more here
There are lots of committed groups around the world working to help wildlife, the natural world and conservation. Join in their efforts!
From ponds and rivers to mountains and deserts, wildlife need space to survive and thrive. You and I can help save, protect and care for this habitat, and help create more space for wildlife. We share the planet with them.