Natural Environment White Paper welcome

Tomorrow's publication [6th June 2011] of a White Paper on the Natural Environment — the first for 20 years — should mark an exciting new era for nature conservation. But has the Government been ambitious enough?

The Wildlife Trusts have pushed for the Government to take leadership and make the natural environment a priority. This White Paper is vital in setting a new direction, one in which the connections between a healthy natural environment, healthier people and a healthier economy are recognised. The natural environment can produce significant benefits to society and the economy but, to do so effectively, there must be the right legislative framework and policy in place. Many people are currently suffering from a profound separation from the natural world. This framework — the White Paper — should enable people and communities to value, and take action for, wildlife.

Imagine...children are free to roam through rich landscapes with endless wildlife to discover (Emma Bradshaw).

Within the White Paper on the Natural Environment, The Wildlife Trusts will be looking for the Government to commit to putting nature's recovery at the heart of all decisions on policy-making across all Government departments.

The Wildlife Trusts want to see the recovery and restoration of the natural environment happening everywhere in the UK. As reported in the Making Space for Nature report, England does not have a coherent and resilient ecological network. The report should be implemented in full: priority areas for restoration on a landscape scale should be mapped out, and policies that protect them should be enforced.

The Wildlife Trusts have been delivering landscape-scale conservation on the ground on a voluntary basis, but Government now needs to show leadership and make it a national priority. The time is ripe for Government to make improvements that give individuals, businesses and communities the power and support they need to take action, protecting and improving areas for wildlife, securing a full recovery for nature. The Wildlife Trusts work to reconnect people to nature where they live. This approach needs to be given a firmer footing. Local partnerships need to be enabled to deliver landscape-scale conservation, habitat restoration and re-creation in their communities.

Imagine... farmland which is producing food and also bursting with wildlife (Photo: Simon Johnson)

Paul Wilkinson, Head of Living Landscape for The Wildlife Trusts, said: "We want the Government to set out a new vision for nature's recovery and so hope to welcome the content within this Natural Environment White Paper. Government needs to take a fresh look at — and a smarter approach to — the way we use and manage the natural environment. Changes are essential and we expect to see clear evidence that the Government is committed to positive and ambitious change. A sound framework must be implemented, one which puts nature on the front foot and produces more benefits for people and for wildlife. It will take strong leadership and cross-departmental support. Government must take bold steps and make brave decisions. Society's future is very closely linked to nature's recovery."

He continued: "The Wildlife Trusts have championed a recovery plan for nature since 2006, a plan which helps to create a resilient and healthy environment, rich in wildlife, and one which provides ecological security for people. It is our vision for A Living Landscape. However, we currently find ourselves working amidst an array of policies and mechanisms that determine how land is used and managed. Few of these were designed with nature in mind and virtually none allow for its restoration. The time has come for the Government to help society achieve its ambitions for nature."