Join me in creating a #WilderFuture

The natural world is in a critical condition. Let's put it into recovery.

We love the classic children's novel 'The Wind in the Willows'. But when we re-imagined the tale for the 21st century, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, it was clear that it's not a happy story.

Since Kenneth Graeme’s beloved characters Toad, Badger, Ratty and Mole were first introduced almost 100 years ago, the UK has become one of the most nature-depleted nations in the world. Recent analysis in the 2019 State of Nature report shows that one in seven UK species are at risk of extinction today.

What's the solution?

There are various laws to protect nature (although they have not always been effective) but we do not have laws to support putting nature back.

A Nature Recovery Network (NRN) set in law will map the places where wildlife currently thrives and highlight the spaces where more habitat could be created, to connect these in a network that extends across landscapes, joining with others to form a national network through which wildife can be restored.

At the same time this will help to target investment and identify where regulations need to be better enforced. A NRN will also help meet targets for environmental improvement and nature’s recovery, and boost integration between national and local land-based regulation, spending, investment and action in turn ensuring better value for public money.

We want to see a Nature Recovery Network established through the Westminster Environment Bill, through Area Statements and in the Sustainable Land Management Bill in Wales, in a new Northern Ireland Environment Strategy, and in Scotland we need a National Ecological Network.

You can help!

Let's give wild spaces and wildlife across the UK the "happy ever after" they deserve...

We need your help to make this a reality. Using your views, we will influence new land-use policy across the UK. We'll share your story with politicians through a message book.

People in power can't ignore our collective voice. Your words will add weight to our call for proper mapping to show where existing wildlife needs protecting, where wild spaces and species levels can be restored and where we need more.

Use the simple form to show your support, and type in the box to tell us about the future you would rather see. To find out more about how a NRN will work and why this is important, click in the box below.

Why is this important? > read more

We believe a Nature Recovery Network, set in law, could be the solution to the devastating decline in wild places and heatlhy wildlife populations happening today.

Our proposal is for a Nature Recovery Network - our aim is to put space for nature at the heart of our farming and planning systems; to bring nature into the places where most people live their daily lives. Read more about our ambition and you can download the full report 'Towards a Wilder Britain'.

Who can make a NRN happen?

Farmers, foresters and other land managers can provide more space for nature if the government focuses public payments in the right places, and ensures good regulation and sensible standards.
Developers and investors can make the best decisions for their business and wildlife if they know where development is best located and how best to build and invest for wildlife.
Public bodies (not least local government) are important convenors. They can help to ensure that decisions affecting nature are better integrated across government to maximise benefits to people and wildlife.
Regulators will regulate most effectively if they have a shared plan so they can see how their different areas of responsibility interact in practice, and how they can contribute most effectively to nature’s recovery on the ground.
All of us can help by taking action for, and providing space for, wildlife where we live and work. On their own our actions can feel isolated or small, but linked together every garden, window box, field margin, street tree and riverbank makes a difference.

Tell your politicians: write them the next chapter for wildlife

Share your vision of the future you would rather see for wildlife - where wild places and species are truly protected, where more habitat is created, and where biodiversity is restored. People in power can't ignore our collective voice. We'll share your story with politicians through a message book and your words will add weight to our call.

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What future do you want to see for our wildlife? Write the next chapter below.

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