In a speech to more than 350 members, local partners and guests at a Conference in Winchester this morning, Debbie Tann, Chief Executive of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, will say: “We all know too well that wildlife is in freefall and we are facing an emergency.  Locally we’ve already lost so much – from the destruction of ancient woodlands, the pitiful condition of our chalk rivers, to the perilous state of endangered birds like nightingales and curlew.  Even our wonderful local saltmarshes in the Solent are washing away so quickly that they could disappear within a generation.  Our wildlife and precious natural resources are facing pressures from all sides.

“The very fabric of life is unravelling fast. This planet is our only home and we have been trashing it for too long.  Now is the time to turn this around and put all of our collective efforts into focusing on nature’s recovery.

“To do this we will need to treble the space for nature – sewing together patches both large and small across our countryside, villages, towns and cities. We will need a radical change to the way our land and sea are used and the way we all live and work, if we are to tip the balance in the right direction.

“We know what needs to be done. Today we are setting out what we at the Wildlife Trust will do and how we can work with you  – whether you’re a farmer, developer, business leader, teacher, or wildlife lover – so that we can fix this together”.

Read Debbie Tann’s full speech from the Wilder Conference here.

The Wildlife Trust is calling on everyone to play their part in delivering the Wilder 2030 plan which includes: 

• A target of one in four people acting to support our local nature. The Trust is asking individuals and groups to step forward to create wilder streets and communities. 
• An ‘army’ of champions, trained and supported by the Trust, to campaign for and create change in their local communities or workplaces. 
• Pushing for Local Government, National Parks and other public bodies and businesses to take bold steps in both policy and practice.
• Offering new services to help farmers and developers deliver for nature.  
• Doubling the land that the Trust manages.
• Exploring new wilder approaches, including the reintroduction of missing species like beavers. 

Notes to editors:

• Since 1970, 41% of species have declined and one in seven are now at risk of extinction (State of Nature 2019).  Locally there have been dramatic reductions in species such as water voles, nightingales and even common species like the large white butterfly.  This loss is being driven by intensive agriculture, climate change, development, recreational pressures and unsustainable use of our natural resources. 
   
• Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

  Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust works to create a better future for wildlife and wild places in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We’re the leading wildlife charity in the two counties and with the support of our 26,000 members we’re taking effective action to protect our natural heritage. We’re also part of a UK-wide partnership of 46 Wildlife Trusts; together we are the Nation’s most active and influential nature conservation partnership, protecting wildlife in every part of the UK. www.hiwwt.org.uk
   

• Wilder 2030

  Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust have published a ten year plan (attached to email) which sets out how the Wildlife Trust will deliver, support and call for action to secure nature’s recovery.  This comes following several months of consultation with supporters, members of the public, partners and others.
   

• Wilder Conference – Middle Brook Centre, Winchester, Thursday 24^th October 11-4.30.

  The Wilder 2030 plan will be launched at a conference in Winchester. 
  Guest speakers include Philip Lymbery (CEO of Compassion in World Farming), Sir Charles Burrell (owner of the Knepp Estate and re-wilding pioneer), Dagan James (owner of Broughton Buffallo Farm and co-founder of XR Farmers), Tiffany Francis-Baker, author and illustrator.  Full details can be found here