Millions of people from all walks of life are discovering the wonder and fragility of British nature through Wild Isles. Now, three of the UK’s largest conservation charities (WWF, RSPB, & the National Trust) are using their collective voice to call on all sectors of society across the UK to come together to halt the destruction of UK nature and take urgent action to Save Our Wild Isles.
The Save Our Wild Isles campaign will engage the UK public and inspire them to act – highlighting not only how nature underpins everything that makes our lives possible, but also how profoundly threatened it is.
The charities say there is just enough of the UK’s natural world still left to save, and if everyone – the public, communities, businesses and our leaders all urgently work together to aid its recovery, nature can begin to thrive again within the next few decades.
As highlighted in Wild Isles, the UK is home to some of the most incredible species in the world: from puffins to orcas, butterflies and ancient oak trees – and yet 38 million birds have been lost in the last 50 years, 97% of our wildflower meadows have been lost since the 1930s, and a quarter of all our mammals are at risk of extinction.
Against a background of unprecedented anxiety about nature loss and climate change, the charities are calling on the public to show their love of nature by committing to “Go Wild Once a Week”. That could mean making space for nature in our neighbourhoods by planting wildflower seeds in a window box or green space, eating less meat or getting involved in local community projects, or joining the charities in urging our leaders to act now for nature’s recovery.
One of the first actions the charities will be taking is to engage hundreds of businesses and thousands of employees on the crucial impact that business plays in the fate of nature in the UK and providing tools and guidance on how to take positive action.
The charities will also be providing guidance, advice and inspiration for how people and communities can play an active role in restoring nature near to them. The charities’ partners and celebrity ambassadors are also encouraging everyone to play their part, with further announcements coming in the weeks and months ahead.
For more information visit www.saveourwildisles.org.uk
The Save our Wild Isles campaign follows last night’s release of the first episode of Wild Isles from Silverback Films for BBC One and iPlayer. Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, and co-produced by WWF and the RSPB, the series showcases how spectacular but fragile nature is in the UK. The BBC is not involved in the Save Our Wild Isles campaign and it is separate to the Wild Isles series.