Press Release

Press Release Archive: Thursday 09 June 2011

92 steps to nature’s recovery?

The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust welcomes the Government’s Natural Environment White Paper, published this week (7 June), and praises the level of ambition contained within "The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature".

The recognition of the need for restoration and recovery of the natural environment at a landscape-scale is applauded.  Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust also welcomes the commitment to establish Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs).  There are concerns, however, that initiating just 12 could seriously limit the scale of nature restoration.  The Wildlife Trusts want to improve wildlife habitats across the whole country, and now. Although the White Paper’s vision is both clear and admirable it does not provide enough detail as to how the 92 commitments within it will be achieved.  Nor does it commit to enshrining its aspirations in law. Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust now urges Government to make the White Paper’s implementation a national priority and drive forward this process with urgency.   Paul Learoyd, Chief Executive for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, said:  “How this White Paper is implemented and adopted by all Government departments will be critical.  There is a vital need to ensure it influences the current policy reforms around planning, development and growth.”  Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust welcomes the commitment to encourage and support Local Nature Partnerships where local areas wish to establish them.  The Wildlife Trusts have, for years, been delivering landscape-scale conservation with farmers, landowners and local communities on the ground - through Living Landscape schemes - on a voluntary basis.  All are working to reconnect people to nature where they live.  This approach has been recognised and needs to be driven forward and implemented with sufficient resources. Paul Learoyd continued:  “The Wildlife Trusts initiated the call for this White Paper because we believed the time had come for the state to show leadership in securing nature’s recovery.  Although we hugely welcome this vision within this White Paper, it is disappointing that a commitment to enshrining the aspirations in statute has not been made.  The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust will keep up pressure on the Government to deliver against their vision and will continue to challenge for new policy and legislation, if we feel it is needed, to secure nature’s recovery.”

Notes to Editors

1. Read The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/whitepaper/
   
   
2. In the build up to the 2010 General Election, The Wildlife Trusts called on the next Government to introduce a White Paper on Nature to identify the policy changes needed to restore our natural environment.  A White Paper is a way for Government to lay out proposed changes to legislation and consult on them.
   
   
3. The Wildlife Trusts’ vision is to create A Living Landscape.  This is a recovery plan for nature, championed since 2006, to help create a resilient and healthy environment rich in wildlife and provide ecological security for people.  At the heart of this vision is the restoration of the natural environment. 
   > Find out more about A Living Landscape in Lincolnshire.
   
   
4. The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and wild places throughout the historic county of Lincolnshire - from the Humber to the Wash.  The Trust is Lincolnshire's leading nature conservation charity with over 25,000 members and around 100 nature reserves.  The Trust is a member of a nationwide network of 47 local trusts which work to protect wildlife - The Wildlife Trusts.
   Visit: www.lincstrust.org.uk
   
   
5. The Wildlife Trusts.  There are 47 Wildlife Trusts across the whole of the UK, the Isle of Man and Alderney. We are working for an environment rich in wildlife for everyone.  With more than 800,000 members, we are the largest UK voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving the full range of the UK’s habitats and species, whether they be in the countryside, in cities or at sea. 150,000 of our members belong to our junior branch, Wildlife Watch.  We manage around 2,300 nature reserves covering more than 90,000 hectares; we stand up for wildlife; we inspire people about the natural world and we foster sustainable living.
   Visit: www.wildlifetrusts.org

 

For further information please contact

Rachel Shaw, Public Relations Officer
Tel: 01507 526667   (ansaphone out of office hours)
Fax: 01507 525732
Email: Rachel Shaw

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
Banovallum House
Manor House Street
Horncastle
Lincolnshire LN9 5HF

Website: www.lincstrust.org.uk