Kent residents encouraged to Vote WILD this election as county’s leading conservation charity launches its nature manifesto

Vote WILD, that is the message from Kent Wildlife Trust as they launch their Wilder manifesto in the run up to the general election on 4th July.

As political parties take to the campaign trail, the conservation organisation is urging people to make sure that our natural world is on the top of the agenda when selecting the candidate they vote for.

The Vote Wild Campaign using the acronym WILD to create four manifesto asks for the future MPs:

• W – Wildlife is prioritised.
• I – Incentives for nature friendly farming.
• L – Land, rivers and seas are pollution free.
• D – Developments that defend and restore nature, not destroy it.

The UK is classified as one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world and, despite this stark warning, the 2023 State of Nature Report highlights that nature continues to decline.

The wildlife in the UK is incredible, but decades of pollution and habitat loss have destroyed the places they call home and driven wildlife into chronic decline. The impacts of climate change are becoming more visible and nature, wildlife and people are suffering. Shockingly, 1 in 6 species in the UK is now at risk of extinction.

These findings are reflected in Kent too, with our own 2021 State of Nature in Kent report showing that 372 species are under threat of extinction, 79% of rivers are impacted by pollution and land under conservation management declined by 14,000 hectares in 2021. What’s more by 2040, the KCC’s Climate Change report suggests summers in Kent and Medway will be five to six degrees hotter.

Kent Wildlife Trust has a mission to increase wildlife abundance and climate resilience across 30% of Kent's land and sea and recognise this is something that everyone in the county can play a part in to make that goal become reality and it begins with ensuring our politicians lead the way in helping to create a wilder future.

In the run up to the election the charity is in the throws of promoting nature and climate focussed hustings with events planned for Sevenoaks and the Weald. The organisation is also happy to collaborate with other organisations and individuals to promote and support hustings and welcome enquiries.

Head of Advocacy for Kent Wildlife Trust, Charlotte Lewis says: “This election is crucial in terms of creating a better future for us all, reaching net zero and ensuring we have a country that can sustain us in the long term.

“It is so important that people have the confidence to vote and have their say, we have a wealth of election focused information, letters and other materials available to download and people can also subscribe to our speak up for nature newsletter.

“This is not about telling people who to vote for, it is about giving people the information they need to ask the right questions so they can vote with confidence for a better future. In the midst of a climate and nature crisis, every vote matters!”

If anyone wishes to partner to arrange a hustings event, email kwtadvocacy@kentwildlife.org.uk

• The Kent Wildlife Trust election hub can be found here.
• The Vote Wild manifesto can be found here.