What would life be like without our woodlands?
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Natasha Ruskin explores something terrifying: a world without woodlands.
What happens at COP15?
At this year’s UN Conference on biodiversity (COP15), world leaders will be reviewing the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity - a global agreement on nature conservation.
The world only negotiates biodiversity targets once per decade - at COP15, government will agree targets for the 2020s, following more than two years of delays due to the pandemic.
COP15 is taking place between Wednesday 7th December - Monday 19th December 2022, and is being hosted by China in Montreal, Canada.
Climate march Nottingham - Leanne Manchester
What do we want to see from COP15?
The Wildlife Trusts want to see bold decisions made at COP15 to ensure that by 2030, 30% of land and sea is protected for nature's recovery.
We cannot restore nature without tackling the climate crisis, and we cannot tackle the climate crisis without restoring nature. We need wildlife and wild spaces to be thriving to help us adapt to the changes brought on by climate change.
We want to see the following included in the COP15 agreement:
- COP15 must agree to a legally-binding global treaty to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by 2030. World leaders must make nature a priority, this is the only way we will reach our target of 30%.
- We must make progress at home. If we want to be seen as a world leader on climate and nature, it is vital UK Government commits to protecting 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.
- The UK must provide effective financial and practical support to communities that need it. Indigenous communities manage some of the earth’s most precious natural resources, the UK must help protect these.
- The UK also needs to provide finance to global majority countries for nature restoration. These countries are often on the front line of the climate catastrophe.
So, while these talks happen on an international level, what can we be doing at home to restore biodiversity?
1. Make your garden more wildlife-friendly
With a bit of encouragement, your garden can become a popular destination for a wide range of visitors and help restore biodiversity in your local area. From simple actions (like leaving an area of your garden to grow wild) to more creative ventures (like making a bee hotel or digging a pond), there is so much you can do right on your doorstep.
Find out more about wildlife-friendly gardening: Gardening for a Wilder Kent | Kent Wildlife Trust
2. Learn about biodiversity and establish wildlife-friendly habits
Discover how you can protect wildlife for the future at one of our Study Days.
For our younger environmentalists, we have Forest School or Nature Tots.
At Forest School, students develop skills whilst increasing their knowledge and understanding of the world, encouraging respect for their environment and re-connection with nature.
Nature Tots is a different type of playgroup where pre-school children spend time outside immersed in nature, enjoying a variety of activities in stunning surroundings and learning as they go.
3. Support projects like the Wilder Blean
Imagine a truly wild woodland, alive with life, colour and sound. This dynamic wild space, a remnant of the ancient woodlands that once covered Britain, is quickly fading into legend... but with your help, we can bring it back, restoring biodiversity in our county.
Support the introduction of European bison to Kent and be part of a new era of conservation and thriving biodiversity.
4. Join Kent Wildlife Trust
As a member
Our vision is to rewild 30% of Kent by 2030 and be your shield against the march of climate change. Wild areas are disappearing, being polluted and being developed. This tide of destruction impacts not only our precious wildlife, but also our health, communities and families.
Become part of the conversation with Kent Wildlife Trust and help protect your communities for future generations!
As a corporate partner
A partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust would be aligning your business with a local charity that has a big vision of how things can be done differently and, with a membership of over 30,000 people, we have the confidence to make a change, but we can’t do this alone – we need your support.
5. Participate in our Wilder Kent Awards
The Wilder Kent Awards is a scheme set up to recognise and reward the work schools and community groups are doing in helping us create a #WilderKent. By taking positive actions to restore nature, they are helping to create a more climate-resilient county and provide a home for wildlife.
Join a growing army in the fight against the climate and nature crises. Last year, over 250 groups signed up to the Wilder Kent Awards with over 50 awards being handed out.
Entries to the 2023 Wilder Kent Awards are open now: Find out more here.
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