A group of conservation, wildlife and animal welfare charities are calling on nature-lovers from across Cheshire to visit the Houses of Parliament next month to help put nature firmly on the political agenda.
On Tuesday 9 December, hundreds of people from across the country are joining the Rally for Nature. The event will see them march to Parliament and challenge MPs from the major parties to make firm commitments for wildlife and the environment in their 2015 election manifestos.
In particular, they will be asking politicians to defend the existing laws that protect our most special sites for nature; to put an end to wildlife crime, and to ensure nature’s recovery by introducing a Nature and Wellbeing Act that will put nature at the heart of decision making.
The event is a collaboration between the RSPB, the Wildlife Trusts, the League Against Cruel Sports and nature conservationist Dr Mark Avery. It is also supported by Butterfly Conservation, the Ramblers and the Mammal Society
Charlotte Harris, Chief Executive of Cheshire Wildlife Trust said: “Here in Cheshire and across the North West, we have a stunningly diverse natural heritage, which includes rich habitats at the bottom of the Irish Sea, internationally important estuaries and wetlands that are home to thousands of birds, and irreplaceable peatlands that could play a key role in how we
tackle climate change.
“These special places may hold valuable and lucrative natural resources, but we must ensure our politicians understand the clear message that accessingthese resources cannot be at any cost to our wildlife and wild places.
“The Rally for Nature is a massive opportunity for us to take these messages from our thousands of supporters in Northern England right to the doorstep of Westminster’s decision makers.”
Amanda Miller, the RSPB’s conservation manager for Northern England, added: “In Northern England much of our natural heritage and wildlife are under threat. Harmful developments and intensive land management practices threaten to destroy some of our most precious sites and many of our birds of prey continue to be victims of illegal persecution.
“We need to show our politicians we value our local landscapes and wildlife, and that we want future generations to have the chance to enjoy them.”
The Rally for Nature will start at Church House Conference Centre, Westminster, where there will be keynote speeches from leading figures in nature conservation, followed by a short walk to the Houses of Parliament to meet with MPs.
The Rally for Nature is free but participants need to register by visiting www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk.
Photo shows a bird flock at the Dee Estuary.