As many of us are aware, according to the 2023 State of Nature report, 1 in 6 UK species are currently at risk of extinction, and we are one of the most nature depleted countries in the world.
Our rivers and seas are overrun with pollution, habitat quality continues to decline and yet despite many promises… nature in the UK continues to be an afterthought.
On Saturday 22nd June, I along with other The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales (WTSWW) staff and volunteers, joined at least 60,000 (possibly up to 100,000, thus outnumbering attendees of the Taylor Swift concert at Wembley the same evening!) people in London, from over 350 organisations to demand change. We had a simple message for all political parties: Restore Nature Now. While organised before the general election was announced, this call for action could not have come at a more appropriate time.
This legal and peaceful march proved to be the largest gathering of people marching for nature and climate, ever seen in the UK. It was the first time charities like The Wildlife Trusts, RSPB and Woodland Trusts joined together in delivering an event with environmental activists like Extinction Rebellion. Led by the likes of Chris Packham, Megan McCubbin, Liz Bonnin and Dame Emma Thompson, we marched for a mile, from Park Lane to Parliament Square, via Piccadilly, Haymarket, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall.
While first and foremost this was a demonstration, it was also a celebration of the incredible wildlife found across our home. Many iconic species were represented, with varying degrees of accuracy… such as avocet, kingfisher, beavers, badgers, marsh fritillary and much more! It was a genuine privilege to be surrounded by so many passionate individuals advocating for nature on such a mass scale. Chants of “restore nature now”, “more birds, more trees”, “no nature, no future” echoed through the procession.
Following the march we gathered in Parliament Square to hear from a variety of speakers from TV presenters, activists and various charity representatives. Of particular note for me was Steve Backshaw and Asad Rehman.
Three peregrines also gave us a show of support, soaring above the houses of parliament, much to the delight of the crowd. We also heard from the incredible Nemonte Nenquimo, who led a landmark indigenous campaign in Ecuador, to secure the protection of 500,000 acres of the Amazon rainforest from oil extraction. She spoke of living in harmony with the land and Mother Nature, and said she was heartened to see so many of us present, taking action for nature.
You can watch the full live stream of the event here.
Alex Griffiths, our Wilder Engagement Officer, said the event was “incredible and positive. With a mix of all ages across those in attendance, and so many different groups represented, all sharing in the collective message calling for our politicians and decision makers to Restore Nature Now. It was great to see so many different Wildlife Trusts present, and to catch-up across the network and share in all the exciting work everyone is up to across the UK. A definite highlight for me was listening to Feargal Sharkey's speech about river pollution, especially since the focus of our Stand for Nature youth forum in Cardiff is the Save our Taff river campaign!"
