"We need to work together for wildlife recovery right now," says Teresa Dent, Chief Executive of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) in response to the launch of the alarming State of Nature report by a coalition of wildlife organisations today, Wednesday 22nd May.
"Bringing back our wildlife from decline demands a relentlessly positive sense of purpose from everyone involved", she urges.
"The State of Nature Report is a serious wake up call. We welcome it and we salute the wildlife organisations for revealing such dramatic declines.
"But we must seize the moment and recruit as many people as possible to play their part in turning 'feel bad' decline into 'feel good' recovery. Nothing else will succeed," Teresa Dent continues.
The GWCT has achieved over 80 years of outstanding research and understanding of the ecology of many crucial habitats including arable farmland, lowland woodlands, chalk rivers and our internationally important moorlands. We have a proven record of world class work into precious species such as the black grouse, water vole, grey partridge, woodcock, trout, salmon, lapwing and golden plover. During all this time we have worked with people who manage land and wildlife and have inspired their confidence.
"The continued decline of wildlife is frustrating and depressing for everyone involved. We simply have to harness the huge potential of farmers, game managers and foresters, along with the concerned public. If only we can unite all the good will for wildlife, we can take on this task and deliver," Teresa Dent explains.
"As an immediate contribution, we offer ten principles to achieve highly effective wildlife recovery. Stick to these, and our chances of success will soar. We're ready to play our part for wildlife right now," Teresa Dent concludes.
Ten principles for highly effective wildlife recovery:
• Stick to objectives: only single-minded commitment to saving species will succeed.
• Own the problem: get those who actually manage land on side and recruit local leaders on the ground to show initiative.
• Maintain good morale: this is a tough task and a positive state of mind will be vital.
• Get a Reality Check: farmers and land managers need to know really how bad things have got.
• Make it local: people will respond to places they know, wildlife they see.
• Be precise: what exactly is needed to achieve a species' recovery? Sort out the 'pinch points'.
• Cooperate, cooperate, cooperate: we need an economy of effort and synchronised actions by all.
• Enough resources: maximise effective conservation with realistic funding and drawing in additional support.
• Support the ordinary: stop everyday wildlife today becoming rare wildlife tomorrow. Value it to keep it.
• Be agile and flexible: don't let process dominate purpose: if it works, give it support.
The GWCT has extensive insight into why wildlife is declining and how to reverse such declines. We have over 60 scientists, many of whom are working flat out in the field right now. See our website for more:
Notes to editors
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.
For information, contact:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476
Email: press@gwct.org.uk