Help nature to recover across Derbyshire by backing new 're-wild' appeal

The Wildlife Trust’s nationwide ‘30 by 30’ public appeal aims to raise £30million to start putting nature into recovery across at least 30 per cent of land and sea by 2030.

The prime minister also recently made the commitment to the initiative – but members of the trust are concerned that this falls short.

Craig Bennett, chief executive of the Wildlife Trusts, said: “By the government’s own measures, 26 per cent of the country is already protected.

"Most people need only look out the window or walk through their local neighbourhood to see that this is plainly untrue.

“The headline commitment from the prime minister to protect 30 per cent of the UK’s land for biodiversity by 2030 is very welcome – it’s a good start.

"But the government seems to think there is more land currently protected for nature than is actually the case.

“Our national parks are landscape not wildlife designations, and many of these places are severely depleted of wildlife because of overgrazing, poor management or intensive agricultural practices.

"Our Sites of Special Scientific Interest are supposed to be protected for nature but even around half of these are in a poor state and suffering wildlife declines.”

As part of the national appeal, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is calling on supporters to back a genuine nature recovery network that will see at least 30 per cent of the county wilder by 2030.

Jo Smith, CEO for Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said: “The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world.

"Here in Derbyshire, our moorlands should be richer in wildlife, there should be more wildflowers for butterflies and bees.

"These wilder spaces benefit us too. Restored habitats and ecosystems store carbon, mitigate against flooding and soil erosion, and create a more beautiful, healthier world to live in.”

To help the trust ‘re-wild’ Derbyshire, you can donate at www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/rewild.