Deal With IT's Secretary Victoria Nicholls writes a regular column in the East Kent Mercury
A recent report on the state of wildlife in the UK has shown that most species are in decline and a third have halved in number in the past 50 years.This is a sad state of affairs and most of the blame for the situation can be placed squarely in our hands. The intensification of agriculture and the over use of pesticides has led to the loss of habitats in hedgerows, ponds, meadows and forests. Climate change, overfishing and building developments have also played their part.
The ‘State of Nature’ report was compiled by 25 conservation groups which shows just how broad the study has been. Tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in this survey to help our naturalists and scientists make the study so comprehensive.
We have all noticed the decline in the populations of birds, butterflies, moths and insects in our gardens and our favourite hedgehog has declined so much that there are fewer than 1 million left.
When we go out into our lovely countryside we are lucky enough to be able to see nature all around us for free but if we want to conserve the countryside for us and future generations we must realise that, as a nation, we need to invest in it. Our government needs the political will to reform agriculture, fisheries and forestry.
Wildlife provides clean water, clean air, pollinates crops and prevents soil erosion, among other things, and these ecosystem services are vital to protect the land we love so much.
Victoria Nicholls. DWI Transition Deal.