Campaigns update

Sending a clear message to local politicians

During the Local Elections in May we sent a clear message to City, Borough & District councillor candidates that we demand a wilder Nottinghamshire.

The campaign quickly resulted in positive contacts with councillors, including some with key responsibilities for environmental issues and we will be following up with all elected councillors over the summer.

As part of our 60th Anniversary programme we also reached out to all Local Planning Authorities to help ensure the ambitious Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Framework – developed with the Local Planning Authorities, Natural England and the Environment Agency - is adopted as policy. The framework is designed to ensure that any benefits in terms of future investment in BNG resulting from built development in Nottinghamshire are delivered as locally to the development as possible and definitely retained within the county. We are also seeking to secure commitments over and above the legal minimum for BNG across all districts and boroughs in Notts to support and encourage nature’s recovery.

Working with farmers to secure a Wilder Nottinghamshire

As we strive to secure more space for nature, farmers, landowners and land managers will be vital partners to ensuring the Nottinghamshire landscape supports nature’s recovery.

At the Nottinghamshire County Show, we were delighted to see Notts farmer and long-term Wildlife Trust member Tony Tapper recognised for his contribution to agriculture and his support in helping us care for many of our nature reserves down the years.

It was also pleasing to hear how many young farmers and land managers were committed to working with nature. A number of young farmers and land managers, including students from Nottingham Trent University, who received awards from The Newark & Nottinghamshire Agricultural

Society, highlighted their volunteering with environmental NGOs or at local country parks whilst others spoke of an interest in organic farming and beekeeping.

After the award presentations we grabbed Indy, Ellie and Christian, who’ve all volunteered with the Trust in recent years, for a quick photo alongside Tony, our CEO Paul Wilkinson and Newark & Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society President Patrick White. We think that the future of farming and conservation is in safe hands with them and their fellow students.

Supporter actions help trigger U-turn on key clause.

Back in May, the Government made a dramatic U-turn by scrapping the ‘Sunset Clause’ in the Retained (EU) Law Bill. It was clear that the passionate postcards, emails, and tweets to MPs from our supporters helped raise the alarm and we’re delighted that concerted pressure had an impact – but we must keep going.

Since the U-turn we again asked supporters to contact MPs ahead of a last-minute debate on this damaging Bill, which we fear will make it difficult for us to properly stand up for wildlife here in Nottinghamshire, in the hope we might secure further amendments.

Stop Press

As we write, the REUL Bill has been amended in the House of Lords. This is progress but the fight goes on.

City school issues rallying ‘SOS’

Earlier in the summer – whilst some swifts were still returning from Africa to breed – our friends at Nottingham based action group WildNG organised an inspiring ‘Swift Homecoming Parade'.

Hundreds of pupils from Claremont Primary School in Carrington marched enthusiastically through the streets, including a locally designated ‘Swift Street' - where around a dozen swift nesting boxes have been installed by residents. They then gathered in a local park to hear rousing speeches from Head Teacher Mr Campbell and Trish Evans from WildNG. Mr Campbell spoke of people’s ability to take action one step at a time and the volume at which the children chanted ‘Save our Swifts’ suggests that many will take inspiration from the day and look set to be taking action for nature for years to come. This event, and the Swift Street project is proof positive that local action can make a real difference. In the words of Mr Campbell it's simply a matter of taking the first step, and then another, and a another...’

Nature reserves along the route of HS2, like Calvert Jubilee in Buckinghamshire, have been destroyed.

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