Take action to help put nature into recovery

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Wildlife Trust has worked to help protect and restore nature for six decades, but the threats to nature are, in many respects, greater than ever.

- By ERIN MCDAID

Skylarks hay cut volunteer team

(RACHEL RUTHERFORD)

Putting nature into recovery will require more people than ever before to act, but with so much negative news about threatened species, damage to fragile habitats and the impact of climate change on wildlife, it would be all too easy to give up; to feel that there is nothing you can do to turn things around - but you really can make a difference.

You could join or donate to an environmental or nature focused charity like the Trust; volunteer to support their work or both.

As a local charity, our work reaches into communities across the county whether in terms of the nature reserve we care for; our efforts to prevent local wildlife areas being destroyed through damaging development or the opportunities we provide for young people to act for nature on their doorstep. The more support we have, the more we can do, but we cannot do it all, leaving tremendous opportunities for people to act within their communities.

At the micro-local level, you can take action in your own life, in your garden, on your street or in your neighbourhood. The more people who decide to act in this way, the better chance wildlife has of thriving.

You could change your shopping habits to reduce your carbon footprint by eating less meat or choosing seasonal vegetables and fruits to support British farmers and local growers. You could plant a native tree in your garden or create a small wildlife pond.