Bristol has become the first major city to declare an ecological emergency.

They’ve done this in response to escalating threats to ecosystems and wildlife, as there’s been a worrying decline in numbers and the diveristy of wildlife in the city.

41% of UK wildlife species are in decline and 15% are at risk of extinction

In Bristol the city’s swifts and starling populations are virtually wiped out – with a 96% decline in numbers of these birds between 1994 and 2014

Marvin Rees, Major of Bristol, and the CEO of the Avon Wildlife Trust Ian Barrett, are building on the 2018 declaration of a climate emergency.

Plans to Tackle this Ecological Emergency

 Marvin Rees has asked the One City Envrionment and Sustainability Board work with the council and other city partners to look at ways in which the destruction of wildife habitats can be stopped.

He wants them to look at ways to mange land sustainably, which will create wildlife-rich spaces, not just right across Bristol but across the region as well.

Everywhere and everyone needs to support wildlife, including new developments, so that species can grow alongside people. 

It’s recognised that is not a quick thing to achieve.  Nature takes her time, but she needs a considerable amount of help now. 

She needs restoring.  Climate breakdown and ecological emergency are everywhere as wild spaces are lost and wildlife with it.

As Ian Barrett says, we can’t wait for national governments or international bodies to lead the way.  Collective action is needed so that wildlife can thrive and the natural world can flourish.

Find out more here about Bristol’s response to the ecological emergency

This includes of course people like you and me.  We can all take action to do things such as planting a single window box for pollinators, walking where possible -  and doing beach clean ups on team building days or helping a local wildlife charity.

At the moment, the Avon Wildlife Trust is working with local communities through a project called My Wild City.  It’s transforming 8 local wildlife sites across the city, so enhancing important wildlife habitats and providing opportunities for people to visit and enjoy them.

Its urban wildlife site in Stapleton has restored wildlife in the heart of the city;  people can learn practical skills in wildlife friendly planting and help fight for nature’s recovery.

Actions you can take:

Donate to the Avon Wildlife Trust and help its work

Volunteer – give your time and energy!  It’s a great way to meet like-minded people and make new friends and do something really worthwhile with your time that can make a difference. 

Take action to help wildlife – there are a number of things you can do, including

1. Build a hedgehog home
2. Create a hole for hedghogs
3. Grow a wild patch
4. Attract butterflies to your garden
5. Grow a vertical garden
6. Provide water for wildlife
7. Provide bushes for nesting birds
8. Build a bug mansion
9. Pick up litter (so wildlife don’t eat it or get harmed on it)
10. Take part in a citizen survey
11. Buy local produce
12. And there are LOTS MORE!

Become a member or give a gift membership – there’s even a business membership

There’s a programme on Channel 4 tonight (Monday 3 February 2020) at 8pm that I’m not sure I really want to watch, but I can’t help feeling I should.  

I am watching it and there are graphic images and footage, just to warn you.

Australia on Fire:  Climate Emergency is the story of the battle to save Australia form the bushfires.  It includes first-hand accounts from firefighters on the front line, and looks at the long-term impact of the fires on the animal population and ecology.

Drone footage show the extent of the devastation.

There’s also coverage of those who just escaped their burning properties – and we hear from those who have gone back to properties that are burnt out.

Thank you to all those everywhere who fought the fires and worked so hard and continue to work hard to help the animals in Australia.

The GoFundMe fundraiser for Port Macquarie Koala Hospital is still going (up to $7.7 million) and you can still donate to make a difference to Australian wildlife.

Did you know that the National Trust is helping its partner, the National Trust of Australia, to help Australian wildlife recover after the terrible bushfires in Australia?

A lot of the animals climb trees to escape the flames below - and when they get down again, they get serious burns on their feet.  They need treatment and regular bandage changes for months, food and water.  And a big challenge facing the hospital and sanctuary is that there is no home for the animals to return to when they are better - it has been destroyed by fire.

They are helping to raise awareness of the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, which is caring for many animals with burns and dehydration.

As a result of the drought and wildfires, the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital has experienced about a 20% increase in admissions from in and around the fire zones.  They are working to treat, rehabilitate and release wildlife – wildlife who are sick, injured and orphaned.

Help Australian wildlife - Buy a Tree

In 2019, over 12,000 animals were admitted to the hospital – including 600 koalas.

You can help the hospital help wildlife by making a donation

Buy a Walkways for Wildlife

Visit the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital’s website here.

So very quickly, some organisations which need urgent help to help rescue wildlife - 

The Rescue Collective in Australia have a very urgent wishlist - they are in very short supply of stuff - you can find them on Facebook here.  They work together with like minded people, to support animal rescue, wildlife organizations and their volunteers across the East Coast of Australia. 

The Rescue Collective have a BushFire Appeal which you can donate to and it gives you an idea of what they have been facing as you read down the page.

Animals Australia have an appeal which will help "expert wildlife vets to travel to fire-devastated Mallacoota to assist local carers dealing with injured koalas; and to travel to other fire grounds where needed."

Wildlife Victoria have an appeal which "will be distributed to wildlife shelters and carers to help rebuild enclosures and equipment that they have lost in the fires so that they can continue their lifesaving work, and support those that are struggling to cope with the enormous number of animals that will need care in the coming weeks and months."  Just click on their DONATE button, the blue one

WIRES need funds too - they say in December alone the WIRES received over 20,000 calls and volunteers attended over 3,300 rescues

Koala Rescue Queensland have an appeal too which you can find here.  They say the destruction is massive and the clean up and rehabilitation will take years. Their climbing ropes, throw lines, harnesses, haloes and poles, were destroyed. Please donate if you can - even $5 helps us rescue and get medical help for sick and injured Koalas.

And the Fundraiser for the Port Macquaire Koala Hospital is continuing to grow - up to $2,868,000 plus as I type. 

We need all of us to keep donating, spreading the word, and praying for rain in Australia.  And to look at our own lifesltyles and how we are affecting the health and wellbeing of the planet and all its inhabitants.

Please forgive me coyping straight from these websites - I just want to get the news out there.

It's heartbreaking.   These people and animals must be absolutely exhausted and terrified. 

Praying for you, Australia xxx

Care2.com have a petition asking the Indonesian government to save Sumatran Rhinos from extinction and they need your voice to add strength to their cause.  

Sumatran rhinos are extinct - all except for in Indonesia.  80 of them are left there and the species urgently needs your voice.  Poachers, habitat loss and their own low birth rate has reduced their numbers to such an extent that it will be nearly impossible for them to find a mate and breed, experts believe.

If the rhinos are to survive in Indonesia, the government there must make saving them a priority, and in so doing, they need to work with the Malaysian government.  

The Indonesian government must make a public commitment to save the Sumatran Rhino and work with Malaysia to help save these wonderful animals.

Please sign the petition and tell Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and the Ministry of the Environment to take action now.

PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION HERE