"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
The National Trust for Scotlandcares for over 76,000 hectares of countryside, home to a vast range of wildlife and world-famous landscapes. And, thanks tot he coronavirus, it is in trouble. It needs some help.
There are some of Scotland's most beautiful places under the care of the National Trust for Scotland, and it works with people of all ages to help them enjoy these sights. There's an abundance of rare and remarkable wildlife under the care of the National Trust for Scotland; the Trust monitors them and undertakes conservation work, helping to protect the habitats that support all kinds of animal and plant communities, from red squirrels and seabirds, to montane scrub and ancient trees.
Otters, pine martens, red squirrels and bats all live on National Trust for Scotland's landscapes. The Trust cares for over 400 islands and islets - and many of these are home to the world's most important seabird colonies. It looks after 8 National Nature Reserves and 27 site at Trust places are designated as special importance for nature conservation in Europe.
The World Land Trust reports that wildlife were putting themselves at risk in Guatemala because they were getting close to urban areas.
So their conservation partner FUNDAECO introduced human-made watering holes and they have proved to be invaluable for wildlife – several species have been filmed using them.
This initiative came after the Caribbean was hit by longer summers and animals got closer to towns.
It only takes the team a few days to install each watering hole. The water holes will now be an annual part conservation. The plan is to roll these artificial water sources out on other reserves.
This means that wildlife will have access to water throughout the summer.
The first project the World Land Trust did with FUNDAECO was the purchase of 1,500 acres of lowland and inundated tropical forest. They created a reserve at Laguna Grande.
Today, they are still buying and protecting some of the last remaining wetlands and tropical forests in Caribbean Guatemala. Back in 2017, they started to create a new core reserve area in the Sierra Santa Cruz. And WLT supports FUNDAECO through its Keepers of the Wild Appeal – that funds rangers on the reserves.
Help #WorldOceansDay grow the movement to protect our blue planet, using #ProtectOurHome
The 2020 Focus – or theme – is all about uniting conservation action to grow a global movement calling on world leaders to protect 30% of our blue planet by 2030. This essential need is called 30x30. If we can safeguard at least 30% of our ocean through a network of well protected areas, then we can ensure a healthy home for everyone!
Two things you can do:
First, sign the petition calling on world leaders to protect 30% of our blue planet by 2030. Today, only 15% of land and 7% of our ocean are protected – and the aim is to protect 17% of land and 10% of ocean by the end of 2020.
Many of our world leaders however need a really good kick up the backside if these are to increase. They don’t quite seem to understand that the natural world provides critical resources which sustain life on earth. We need clean air to breathe. We need clean water to drink. We need good food to eat. We need medicines. We need the resources the natural world provides. Animals need it too.
So let’s give them a good kick up the backside and campaign for nature: Sign the petition here
Secondly, take a good look around the World Oceans Day website and see what is happening. There are resources you can download and use to spread the word. Some of these are for specific marine species such as sharks, rays, seals, hammerheads, turtles, dolphins and penguins. Others are for areas such as corals. And they come in different languages, too.
The 5th June is World Environment Day It’s time #ForNature
Colombia is the host nation
This year, the global host is Colombia. The country is home to 51,000 species with the largest variety of birds and orchids in the world. It ranks second in diversity of plants, butterflies, freshwater fish and amphibians and they flourish in over 300 types of ecosystems, some of which are in protected areas. Find out more about Colombia here.
We need nature
As the website points out, our food, air and water all come from nature. And clearly we are living in times when nature is sending us a very strong message:
To care for ourselves, we must care for nature. Or, as I like to put it, look after earth, and she will look after us.
We need to build back better for People and Planet.
Visit the website – there’s a lot to get involved with including a biodiversity quiz,
There’s a practical guide for individuals, faith groups, businesses, cities, governments, schools, universities, youth groups and civil society. You can access it here.
Please at the very least, take time to read this tool kit. Amongst other things, it explains that the five main drivers for biodiversity loss are:
Land-use change – our demand for food and resoruces are driving deforestation and destroying natural habitats world-wide.
Over-explotation of plants and animals, from the large to the tiny, with fishing, logging and poaching threatening many speicies from the pangolin to the beluga sturgeon
Climate Emergency – our warming seas are melting sea ice, so affecting polar bears, seals and fishing birds. Our coral reefs are in trouble. One in six speices could be threatened with extinction by 2050 if warming trends continue.
How to help World Environment Day
Learn – this is a great chance to find out about the wild species nad habitats we share the planet with.
Share – why is it time #ForNature? Share why you love our natural world.
Act – Act on what you’ve learn to help end biodiversity loss and th climate crisis. Then we can give nature the chance to heal and ensure a better and healthier future for everyone.
There are plenty of ways we can all act as indivdiuals to save nature, from chainging our diet to travelling less, from leaving wild green spaces in our gardens so that pollinators and ground dwelling insects can thrive. We can stop using single-use plastics, and recycle as much as we can. Grow your own (herbs on a window sill for instance, fruit bushes on a patio) and buy locally produced products and foods.
This report has steps groups can take to make a difference and they are worth exploring to see what you can do as a group.
There’s lots of help for schools as well.
Let's all stand up for nature
Some people will may drag their feet and complain. Let them. We cannot afford passengers now on this drive to look after nature. We need to have the courage of our convictions and really start making a difference #ForNature.
Wildlife Trusts around the UK are encouraging us all to go wild every day this June, and they have plenty of ideas as to how you can do it.
The idea is that we all do one Random Act of Wildness each day, and connect with nature and the natural world around you, or do something small to help nature. This is a great opportunity to find out more about the wildlife local to you and appreciate the wonders of the natural world.
Each Random Act of Wildness doesn’t have to be particularly energetic, either. Sitting under a tree listening to birdsong constitutes a wild act - which I did yesterday and I have to confess to having fallen asleep. Reading a nature book could be another. Working out which bird is sitting on your fence could be another. And of course helping nature could be another – putting a bird feeder up in your garden, creating a log pile, allocating an area where you’re going to let the weeds grow with abandon, or sow wildflowers.
Over 91,000 people have signed up so far to Go Wild in June.
People of all ages can sign up so you can join in as a family, as a care home, as a business or as a school or group. And it’s a chance to discover all about the wildlife your local Wildlife Trust is working to protect – and find out how you can help.
There are 46 Wildlife Trusts in the UK, and they all have a range of activities you can get involved in, and lots of ways in which you can Go Wild this June. You can sign up as yourself and family, or your class/school or your workplace.
