If you would like to write to your local newspaper editors, please fill in the form below and then press send!

-Keep your letter under 200 words. Editors have limited space. Generally, shorter letters have a better chance of being published, so see if anything can be cut before you hit 'send'.

-Your opening sentence is very important. It should tell readers what you’re writing about, and make them want to read more. Some papers print general commentary, many will only print letters that refer to something specific. Here are some examples of easy ways to refer to articles in your opening sentence:

I was disappointed to see that The Post’s September 18 article “Badger cull to carry on” omitted some of the key facts in the debate.

I strongly disagree with (author’s name) narrow view on rewilding community spaces. (“Name of Op-Ed,” date)

I am deeply saddened to read that the UK Government is planning to roll back protections for nature. (“Title of Article,” date)

-Make sure your most important points are stated in the first paragraph. Editors may need to cut parts of your letter and they usually do so from the bottom up. Use local statistics and personal stories to better illustrate your point.

-Include your title or role as well as your name, especially if it's relevant to the topic being discussed – it adds credibility. 

-Make it relevant - refer to a recent event in your community, or to a recent article, a campaign or topic in the national news. We've included some ideas for relevant or popular topics, but you can use your own words wherever you can. Please ensure your letter is about nature, wildlife, climate or the environment. 

A newspaper may not print every letter it receives, but clear, well-written letters are likely to be given more serious consideration.

Remember - the importance of your topic will be obvious to you but the general reader may not have the same awareness or interest. Use plain language that most people will understand. If you also have suggestions about what could be done to improve the situation add these as well. Be specific. And the more good reasons you can give to back up your suggestions, the better.

With acknowledgement to https://ctb.ku.edu/en

In 2021 Rachel Reeves announced her ambition to become 'Britain's first green chancellor'- however, now she has the role of Chancellor for the UK Government, her recent announcements on planning and airport expansion make this aim questionable.

The UK Government needs to understand that high-quality, sustainable development doesn't need to be at the expense of struggling wildlife or climate. It’s not a one or the other decision.  With some specific changes to the Bill that are easy to agree to now, we can have wilder, healthier homes in the future.

-Nature is not a blocker to growth. In fact, research by PWC and a review by Sir Partha Dasgupta show that it is crucial for economic growth to happen. 

-It is CRITICAL that strong safeguards are embedded to ensure key environmental principles are upheld. First and foremost, ANY development should seek first to avoid harm and measures to improve nature should be secured in advance of development where possible. New plans intended to manage development impacts on nature NEED to be underpinned by scientific evidence and pass a strong legal test that they will significantly boost nature recovery before being adopted. 

-This bill needs to be aspirational. It MUST take steps to protect and recover nature. We want Ministers to introduce new protections for chalk streams, local wildlife sites and wildbelt. It is CRUCIAL for all new development to include nature in their design.

-It is imperative that the Government recognises that nature IS helping growth. When looking at new developments nature and green energy must be included in new housing and business to protect nature and the economy.

More detailed information can be found through the links below:

Myth-busting bats, newts and the economy vs. nature protections

Research by PWC

Dasgupta Review

The Wildlife Trust's Natural Health Services Report