Vote for Nature. Picture: Towfiqu Ahamed Barbhuiya/ Canva
Vote for nature
Our top five priorities for the next government
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The landmark 2023 State of Nature Report has shown that the UK – already classified as one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries in the world – is continuing to allow nature to decline.
BBOWT is calling upon all political parties to commit to a plan to finally halt and reverse this trend. Their policies must be targeted towards:
- Species recovery
- Addressing water pollution
- Funding wildlife-friendly farming
- Enabling healthy communities
- Tackling climate change
Evidence shows that people are more concerned about the state of their natural environment than ever before. With local elections in May and a general election on the horizon, it’s time politicians heard that message.
What happens in this year's elections could not be more crucial: the winners could seal the fate of our turtle doves, tortoiseshell butterflies, dormice, hedgehogs and hundreds more species - and whatever they do for nature will also have a huge effect on our wellbeing and our physical and mental health. Please ask your local candidates to sign up to our five priorities and, whatever way you vote this year, remember to vote for nature.Chief Executive, BBOWT
Water vole by Terry Whittaker/2020Vision
Bring back our lost wildlife
Immense pressure from decades of pollution and habitat loss has driven wildlife into catastrophic decline.
European otter by Andy Rouse/2020VISION
End river pollution
Our waterways are polluted and a dumping ground for waste. We need a strong, environmentally conscious government to tighten safeguards and ensure water courses are clean and safe for both wildlife and people.
Rural landscape by Guy Edwardes/2020VISION
Fund wildlife-friendly farming
By supporting farmers to shift towards regenerative, nature-friendly methods, farming has huge potential to deliver a green rural renewal.
BBOWT Community Officer Barbara Polonara with members of the Slough Ujala Foundation community in the new community garden. Picture: Pete Hughes
Enable healthy communities
More than one third of the population - nearly 9.5 million households in England – are unable to access green places near their home.
Floods at Duxford Old River. Photo: Simon Cousins
Tackle the climate emergency
Climate change is driving nature’s decline, and the loss of wildlife and wild places leaves us ill-equipped to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to change.
What you can do
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Ask your candidates in local and national elections what their parties are doing to address The Wildlife Trusts' priorities and what they will do locally if elected.
If you are a candidate in local or national elections, contact us to find out how you can work with us on these five priorities.
