Environmental consultant, author and campaigner Rachel Carrie has given her support to the latest initiative from leading conservation charity, the Game & Wildlife Trust (GWCT).
Launched last week, the GWCT's 500 Club is calling for 500 passionate conservationists, farmers, countryfolk or keen members of the public to join thousands of others in supporting their work as members.
Addressing those keen on the countryside, Ms Carrie said: “Like many of you, for much longer than I have been passionate about shooting I have been passionate about wildlife and conservation. It was the time I spent outdoors as a child in nature learning about the rich tapestry of biodiversity that exists in the British countryside that eventually led me to join the shooting community. Shooting and wildlife conservation go hand in hand and it is impossible to care about one without caring deeply about the other - a reality unfortunately that the wider public become increasingly disconnected from with each generation, a message which becomes increasingly difficult to convey.”
Rachel is not afraid to engage in debate about the countryside, having faced criticism from militant vegans and vegetarians who reported her game cookery photos to Instagram as being ‘sensitive’ and ‘graphic’. One of Britain’s leading female game shots, last year Rachel decided to showcase just how wonderful sustainable game can be, with her best-selling cookbook, Game & Gatherings. After years of getting the message out there that eating game is good for the environment, for health and for the countryside, this resonated with people like never before.
Despite that success, the divide between those in favour of a managed landscape and those against it has come to the fore in recent years, with campaigning and legal challenges on the rise, most noticeably in claims against the use of general licences, led by TV presenter Chris Packham and his Wild Justice pressure group.
This has caused concern to Rachel, who states “The GWCT not only help us to monitor the species and habitats that we care so deeply for to secure them for future generations to enjoy they ensure that our investment and caretaking is evidenced with sound independent science, science that can relied upon whenever our community is unfairly challenged by those who misunderstand and therefore oppose shooting. This past month alone anti shooting activists Wild Justice have launched three new legal challenges against the shooting community, past challenges of this kind have always relied upon the GWCT to stand in our corner and lend their armoury of wildlife and habitat studies.”
When challenged by dissenting voices, Rachel is always keen to turn to fact. As an active GWCT member for several years, she understands the need for robust science to inform decisions. “Without the sound scientific research and evidence that the GWCT researchers provide our words are empty, she notes. “As I have personally always found it is far deadlier to fight public misconception and emotion with science”.
“The truth is we need the GWCT now more than ever as much as they need us. They are undoubtedly the most critical of organisations and one I feel we simply couldn’t survive without. We would be foolish to give up one of our biggest assets.”
The GWCT has been encouraged with the initial response to their campaign. Those wishing to follow Rachel’s lead can do so at www.gwct.org.uk/500club.
Join the GWCT 500 Club >
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