Nature’s place in government policy
Last week, Defra published the results of a key study, Making Space for Nature, which reports how robust wildlife sites are across England, and on what might need to change in the future to safeguard nature right across the landscape.
The findings are pretty bleak and the report stresses that massive change is needed from all parts of society if we are to restore nature, with strong leadership from government and better collaboration between communities, land managers, charities and business.
And we all have a chance right now to say how we think nature should be included in public policy. The government is drafting a White Paper on the natural environment; the first for more than 20 years - and Defra has asked for input on what the Natural Environment White Paper should include.
It will also attempt to incorporate the findings of Making Space for Nature. There are four short questions to answer or there is a longer document “An invitation to shape the Nature of England” which you may want to comment on in more detail.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to help mould nature conservation in England. White Papers guide future policy and could propose changes to the law. This could set the foundations for how conservation is done in England for the next fifty years or more. WWT will be responding. There are many opportunities within the discussion paper for WWT to comment. Among other topics it covers:
How to better educate and enthuse people about the natural world – something WWT has been doing for a very long time
Seeking out the most innovative and successful approaches to delivering nature conservation here and abroad – again something WWT has a long and successful track record on
The future of all wetlands and their wildlife in England and how to safeguard them - an opportunity to express WWT’s thoughts on a range of wetland issues and water policy
Hopefully, the outcome of this White Paper will help us do our good work into the future. Please consider your thoughts too and respond directly to Defra or, if you have thoughts that relate to WWT, please email conservationpolicy@wwt.org.uk
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