Catherine McKinnell MP has today shown her support for the creation of a Nature Recovery Network, at an event hosted in Parliament by The Wildlife Trusts.

A well-designed network of places for nature – which links up green spaces and protected areas in our towns, cities and countryside – would have positive benefits for both people and wildlife, as research across the globe shows that a healthy, wildlife-rich natural world is essential for our wellbeing and prosperity.

However, wildlife has been getting less and less common, on land and at sea, for decades. Wild places are scarcer, smaller and more isolated. There is also less nature and greenery in the places where we live and work, whilst not everyone has equal access to nature, or the health benefits it brings.

To address these problems, The Wildlife Trusts are calling for a new national effort to protect important places for wildlife, to link up green spaces across our towns, cities and countryside and to build nature into our daily lives.

As part of this campaign, The Wildlife Trusts today launched a new report Towards a wilder Britain – creating a Nature Recovery Network showing how this can be achieved.

The idea of a Nature Recovery Network was set out in the Government’s plans for improving the environment over the next 25 years, but it needs to be progressed as a matter of urgency. With rules on planning and farming currently under review, now is a key to time to take the necessary steps to build such a network.

Catherine said:

‘We are incredibly lucky in Newcastle to have so many natural and wildlife-rich areas within our city, which make an enormous difference to our quality of life.

‘But we need to ensure these benefits are protected both now and for future generations – and that people who live in less green areas can access these benefits in their communities too.

‘I am really pleased to support The Wildlife Trusts’ vision of contact with wildlife being part of our everyday lives.’

Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said:

‘Nature is valuable for its own sake and is the foundation of our society and of our economy. Yet our wildlife has declined over the years and urgently needs our support in order to recover.  By building a Nature Recovery Network, supported by wildlife-friendly farming and planning policies, we will guarantee future generations the benefits that a nature-rich environment brings and they deserve.’

Tags: