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June
2010
Last chance to see Vice-President for
Avon Wildlife Trust
Avon Wildlife Trust is delighted to
announce that award-winning writer and TV presenter Mark
Carwardine has agreed to become a Vice President of the
Trust.
Mark co-presented the six-part BBC2
television series Last Chance to See, with Stephen
Fry, in which the unlikely duo travelled the world in
search of endangered species (following in the footsteps
of a similar journey Mark made with Douglas Adams 20
years before). He gave a sell-out fundraising talk on
the series for the Trust early this year, where he spoke
in his introduction of his commitment to local wildlife.
On accepting the Trust's invitation Mark said
"I am truly delighted to become
a Vice President of Avon Wildlife Trust. Though I spend
much of my time travelling and working on wildlife conservation
issues in other countries, I care passionately about
nature in my home area. The Trust is a key player in
safeguarding the integrity of natural areas in the region,
and I intend to support it in every way I can."
Mark has just come back from photographing
critically endangered Sumatran rhinos and is about to
go to Kenya and Swaziland to film 'Last Chance to See:
Rhino Rescue', a one-off with Stephen Fry about northern
white rhinos. This goes out on BBC2 later in the year
and the Trust very much hopes that Mark will give a talk
about the making of this film at the same time!.
Mark Carwardine is
a zoologist, an active and outspoken conservationist,
an award-winning writer, a TV and radio presenter,
a widely published wildlife photographer, a magazine
columnist and a conservation consultant.
He has written more than 50 books
(including several bestsellers) and hundreds of newspaper
and magazine articles, and has been writing a provocative
monthly column in BBC Wildlife magazine since
January 2004.
Mark has been Chairman of the Judging
Panel of the prestigious Wildlife Photographer
of the Year Competition, jointly owned by BBC Wildlife magazine
and the Natural History Museum, since 2005. His own
extensive collection of wildlife and conservation photographs,
taken in more than 100 countries, is sold through picture
agencies around the world.
May
2010
Royal visit for Folly Farm
HRH The Duke of Kent visited the Folly
Farm Environmental Centre on Tuesday 25 May 2010, where
he was greeted by Philippa Forrester, Vice-President
of Avon Wildlife Trust (whose TV series Halcyon Diaries
is currently enjoying great success). The Duke of Kent
toured the Folly Farm Centre and observed the schools
programme with children from Winford Primary School,
before planting an oak tree to commemorate the Trust's
30th anniversary.
April
2010
Simon
King goes wild for our 30th birthday!
Simon came to Folly Farm on
3 May to wish the Trust a happy birthday - over 300
members came for a fun-filled afternoon of music, walks
and cream teas at the Trust's Folly Farm Centre. Simon
said "I applaud Avon Wildlfie Trust's plans for
the future and the work it has done over the past 30
years to care for the wild creatures and wild places
of the region!"
April
2010
Vote
for wildlife!
When it comes to general elections,
wildlife issues rarely feature in the priorities of our
politicians. Yet we know that the conservation and enhancement
of our local wildlife is a high priority for people in
the Avon area. Furthermore, when things get tough, environmental
and wildlife issues – underfunded at the best of times
– are the first to get cut.
We now face the very real prospect of our hard work
to bring wildlife issues higher up the agenda of decision
makers being reversed, so we are working even harder
for wildlife as the General Election approaches.
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wildlfower
meadow - David Kilbey |
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urchins
and brittlestars - Paul Naylor |
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Severn
Estuary |
On land
Nationally, The Wildlife Trusts have led the way in
instigating Living
Landscape projects to restore lost and degraded habitats;
to connect them up to make them more robust in the face
of climate change and to ensure that they bring with
them social and economic benefits as well as gains for
wildlife. But will the focus on getting the economy out
of recession see diminishing resources channelled to
innovative projects such as these?
On sea
Similarly, in 2009 The Wildlife Trusts
welcomed and celebrated the long fought for Marine
Act which gives much needed protection to the marine
environment. But will the resources to carry forward
the provisions of the Act dry up leaving the plight of
our marine wildlife once again out of sight and out of
mind?
The Severn Estuary
The Wildlife Trusts’ report - Energy
at any price? (PDF) highlights the vital importance
of the Severn Estuary. Not just for wildlife but people
too. The Wildlife Trusts say damming the Estuary with
an old-fashioned barrage would have a devastating impact.
Instead, the next Government should commit to investigating
a range of modern, low-impact technologies.
Our plans
Ahead of the 2010 general election,
Avon Wildlife Trust has written to all our local prospective
parliamentary candidates to ask them three questions:
If elected, what will you do to help
the natural environment of this area?
How will your Party put nature at the
heart of the way we use and manage our land?
What is your party’s policy towards
harnessing the tidal power of the Severn Estuary with
an environmentally damaging barrage?
We have invited all candidates to respond to these questions
in no more than 200 words per question. Responses will
be published here in order of receipt.
Read the MPs' replies here:
Peter
Tyzack
Liberal Democrats
Filton & Bradley Stoke
Liam
Fox
Conservative
Woodspring
Dr.
Brian Mathew
Liberal Democrats
North Somerset
Now we need your help
Now we need your help - and prospective
candidates need your vote.
When they come knocking on your front door, we need
you to ask them how much they
value our local wildlife and what they will do to help
the natural environment of this area?
We would love to know if you do manage to talk to your
local candidates and learn what their responses are,
so please drop us an email.
30th
March, 2010
A
pledge for wildlife!
Conservationists are urging the public
to help stop further wildlife loss by encouraging their
local MPs and Prospective Parliamentary Candidates to
sign a new ‘wildlife pledge”, to do all they can to stop
and reverse wildlife decline.
A consortium of 11 wildlife charities, including The
Wildlife Trusts, have pulled together the pledge to help
reverse the rapid decline in our wildlife - both species
and habitats. It was recently reported that around 500
species have become extinct in England in the recent
past and conservationists are appealing to the public
to help make wildlife a top priority for politicians
and stop further species being lost.
The Wildlife Pledge, which can be viewed online at www.wildlifepledges2010.org.uk is
supported by wildlife organisations representing more
than two million people. It includes the promise to take
action in tackling climate change and to help wildlife
meet this challenge. It also looks for commitment from
politicians to help reverse the decline of farmland wildlife
by the effective promotion of nature-friendly farming,
as well as to provide children with contact with the
natural world as part of their education.
The pledge gives Prospective Parliamentary Candidates
the opportunity to express their support and commitment
to various aspects of wildlife conservation. The public
can view which candidates have given their support for
this issue before the election. Conservationists are
encouraging people to then contact their Prospective
Parliamentary Candidates informing them how important
this issue is and that their response to the pledge may
affect the way they vote.
Stephanie Hilborne, chief executive of The Wildlife
Trusts, said:
“The actions of the next government are absolutely crucial
to ensuring a future for our wildlife. One of the many
challenges they will face will be to implement the Marine
Act to restore our seas and also to restore the natural
environment on land. It is vital that we have MPs in
the new parliament who understand and appreciate these
challenges and keep the next government on its toes.”
To find out if your local candidates have signed the
pledge, visit www.wildlifepledges2010.org.uk
Story by RSWT
More Information
The consortium of 11 organisations involved with the
Wildlife Pledge is as follows: Amphibian and Reptile
Conservation, Bat Conservation Trust, Buglife, Butterfly
Conservation, The Grasslands Trust, Mammals Trust,
Plantlife, RSPB, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, The
Wildlife Trusts and the Woodland Trust.
March
2010
Energy
at any price? New Severn Barrage Report launched
Avon Wildlife
Trust representative Lucy Rogers was at the House of
Lords on 2 March to help launch a special report on the
future of the Severn Estuary.
The Wildlife Trusts’ report - Energy
at any price? highlights the vital importance of
the Severn Estuary. Not just for wildlife but people
too. As the Government considers different proposals
for harnessing the immense natural tidal power to create
electricity, The Wildlife Trusts say damming the Estuary
with an old-fashioned barrage would have a devastating
impact. Instead, the Government should commit to investigating
a range of modern, low-impact technologies.
The Wildlife Trusts believe three innovative options*
hold the most promise. The decision should be taken
on the basis of causing least environmental damage and
being most cost-effective. The Wildlife Trusts want
to ensure the chosen option will not be something society
regrets in decades to come.
The Severn Estuary provides a haven for the young of
commercial fish stocks. It provides a means of transport
and trade. It is the site of many recreational pursuits
and, by its very nature, brings enjoyment to people of
all ages. And the importance of the Estuary for wildlife
is recognised through UK, European and International
law because of its internationally-important species
and extensive habitat areas. By building a barrage, the
Government would be reneging on its commitments to protect
this wildlife to the highest levels.
Lucy Rogers, Director of Conservation Programmes for
Avon Wildlife Trust said: “It is no exaggeration to
say the Severn Estuary is an irreplaceable part of the
UK’s natural heritage.
“It is a dynamic system which affects all our lives.
We want to remind people about what the Severn Estuary
means; it is part of our cultural heritage and it also
very much part of today too; people rely on it for their
livelihoods. We are mobilising our members to take action.
“We cannot view our energy needs in isolation from our
environment. Altering the Severn’s intertidal habitat
is so risky. We have a moral and ethical obligation
to ensure the best options for the natural environment
are pursued. We should not consider out-dated technology
which could impact on the Estuary on an unprecedented
scale.
“Destroying the Severn Estuary – arguably the eighth
natural wonder of the world – would be a deadly sin.
We need your support to protect this unique place – join
us and become a ‘Severn Bore’!”
Further information
Contact Lucy Rogers 0117 917 7270
Download
the report (PDF)
See
it on the YouTube Wildlife Trust Channel
Join Avon Wildlife Trust and become a ‘Severn Bore’:
- Write to your MP - Express your concerns about taking
the right decision, for the Estuary and people. Visit www.theyworkforyou.com
- Join our campaign – Keep an eye on www.wildlifetrusts.org for
news, developments and specific details of how to help
- Enjoy the Estuary – And visit local nature reserves
in the area. Visit our Severn
Estuary page to download our Severn Wanders guide
March 2010
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Earth
hour on Brandon Hill - Dave Lewis |
Keep
it dark!
Avon Wildlife Trust is encouraging
its members to stay in the dark this Saturday 27 March
2010, to support WWF’s Earth Hour when
households, businesses and landmarks in more than 100
countries will turn off their lights to show support
for action on climate change.
The global initiative has become bigger than ever, surpassing
all previous years’ events. From Australia to America
and Europe to Asia on Saturday 27 March 2010
at 8.30pm, over 1,100 cities and towns across
the globe will switch off their lights for one hour to
show they care about climate change.
"This years Earth Hour hopes to attract some one
billion people”, said Steve Micklewright, Director of
Community Programmes at Avon Wildlife Trust. “By signing
up to switch off their lights, individuals, businesses,
towns and cities can join a global phenomenon and show
world leaders that we care about climate change.”
Last year 88 countries got involved in the initiative
and with 2010 seeing more than 100 countries taking part,
a ripple will cross the Earth as landmarks in 25 time
zones switch off. Many of the world’s most iconic
landmarks are on board including the Golden Gate Bridge,
the Las Vegas strip, Table Mountain and the Burj Khalifa
tower- the tallest building in the world.
UK landmarks pledging to switch off their lights include
Piccadilly Circus and the London Eye, which will be dimming
its lights for Earth Hour. Other famous buildings
pledging to plunge into darkness for an hour include
the Royal Albert Hall, Manchester’s Trafford Centre,
Stormont, Inverness Castle, Wales Millennium Stadium
and Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower. Companies supporting
the event include M&S, Coca-Cola and Ikea.
Countries and regions involved for the first time include
the remote island nation of Madagascar, Nepal, Saudi
Arabia, Mongolia, Cambodia, Czech Republic, Paraguay,
Ecuador and the US Commonwealth of the Northern Marina
Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
For further information or to sign up to WWF’s Earth
Hour please visit: www.wwf.org.uk/earthhour
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House Sparrow Project launch
in Victoria Park |
Missing
- the house sparrow!
Keep an eye out for a different kind
of courting couple this Valentine’s season as the Trust
launches an investigation into why one of the West’s
best-loved garden birds – the house sparrow - is disappearing.
Trust spokesman Steve Micklewright explains: "The
cheeky, chirpy house sparrow used to be one of our commonest
birds, but numbers have dwindled so much they are now
a species of conservation concern. We are keen to find
out why numbers are dropping and where they are hanging
out - but we need the public’s help. So, as St Valentine’s
Day approaches, we’re asking everyone to take part in
the online survey we’re running at www.wildsparrows.org.uk and
let us know about any house sparrows they see.”
The project is launching at Valentine’s time because,
traditionally, this is when bachelor male house sparrows
start trying to charm females into becoming their life-long
mate.
Steve explains: "There’s nothing softly-softly
about house sparrow courtship. Males get straight to
the point by choosing a perfect love nest then chirping
loudly to advertise their find to passing females. To
get the Wild Sparrows project going, we want to gather
in reports of this type of behaviour to give us a sense
of how many pairs are breeding in this area.”
Avon Wildlife Trust (AWT) is being partnered for the
project by the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project,
Bristol City Council and by Bristol Naturalists’ Society
(BNS) whose spokesman, Richard Bland, says: "When
I was young there was barely a part of Bristol where
you could not see house sparrows. Now they are found
in just a few areas of the city, and this decline is
replicated throughout the West Country. It's vital we
know where the surviving colonies are so we can protect
them and start helping them to increase their numbers."
Modern housing is believed to be a main cause of the
problem. According to Avon Wildlife Trust’s Steve Micklewright "Sparrows
like to nest close together in roof spaces near the guttering,
but modern construction and house renovations make this
impossible.”
The charity will be demonstrating how lost nests can
be replaced with easy-to-build artificial nesting boxes
when Wild Sparrows is launched during a celebration of
sparrows involving children from St Mary Redcliffe Primary
School at Victoria Park, Bedminster, on Wednesday 10
February (11am start).
As the campaign develops, AWT will also be helping other
communities to create new nesting sites and encouraging
local gardeners to plant out insect-attracting flowers,
such as nasturtiums, to ensure that sparrow chicks don’t
suffer from a shortage of food.
During the next school half-term, there will be opportunities
for families to build and decorate sparrow nesting boxes
as part of the Festival of Feathers events at Avon Wildlife
Trust’s two wildlife education centres – Folly Farm,
Bishop Sutton, on Tuesday 16 February, and Willsbridge
Mill, Willsbridge, on Wednesday 17 February. In addition,
Steve Micklewright will be giving a talk – Where
have all the sparrows gone? – at Bristol Zoo Gardens
on Tuesday 9 March, 7pm start.
NB: See below for more listings info
and a round-up of sparrow facts.
For more details, including guidance on how to identify
sparrows and join the sparrow survey, see www.wildsparrows.org.uk or
contact Avon Wildlife Trust on 0117 917 7270.
February 2010
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Dyrham Park walk |
Wildflower
Grasslands Project launch at Dyrham Park
After an Introduction by Chief Executive
Steve Grainger and with presentations from members of
the AWT Living Landscape Team and Natural England, the
Trust's Wildflower Grassland Project got off to an impressive
start in 2010 at Dyrham Park on 3 Feb.
With over 40 invited guests, including landowners, farmers,
representatives from Local Authorities, Parish Councils
and conservation organisations, the project launched
in the north and east of the Avon region, bringing together
and establishing a network of parties in the region who
were keen to hear all about the Trust's landscape scale
conservation project.
Last year, as the first step in a programme of work
aimed at expanding and linking up the dwindling areas
of WildflowerGrassland, the Living Landscape team contacted
125 farmers and landowners and surveyed over 1000 hectares
of land. This was mostly around Chew Valley, Stowey Sutton
and around Lansdown and St. Catherines Valley just north
of Bath. This year will see the team surveying land and
working with landowners in the Cam Valley, Bathampton,
Cleeve Wood, Dyrham, Horton and Lower Wood areas of the
region.
The event also included a guided walk around the grasslands
of Dyrham Park. Many of those present were able to help
the project in a very valuable way by drawing on large
scale maps to indicate where they had local knowledge
of grasslands that might benefit from the attentions
of the project.
A grand day was had by one and all - despite the weather!
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Simon King |
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Dick King-Smith |
January
2010
New
Year Honours for Trust President and Vice-President
Simon King, President of the Trust, received an OBE
for services to wildlife photography and to conservation
and our vice-president, author Dick King-Smith, received
an OBE for services to children's literature.
In the past 30 years Dick King-Smith has written dozens
of books, selling over five million copies in the UK
alone, and had one of his stories, The Sheep-Pig,
turned into the hit film Babe. The 1995 film
catapulted the author, who is to global fame. His first
story, The Fox Busters, was published when he
was in his 50s in 1978.
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