| Use your voice for Nature on the Isle of Wight |
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| Island Nature is an opportunity to share your thoughts on what can be done to help the recovery of our habitats and wildlife here on the Isle of Wight. Your opinions will help shape a new approach to nature conservation called the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). The UK has experienced significant biodiversity decline and habitat loss over the past 25 years. Of the 240 nations and territories assessed in The State of Nature Report in 2023, latest global data demonstrates that the UK ranks 12th and England worse still at 7th from the bottom. Whether you take an interest in nature or not, the wildlife, habitats, natural processes and ecosystems on which we all rely on are disappearing across the country, even everyday species we often believe to be common, such as starlings and sparrows, frogs or slow worms. In response, DEFRA and Natural England are working with local authorities across the country to help them create Local Nature Recovery Strategies as part of the legal requirement of the Environment Act 2021. The Isle of Wight Council has asked local ecological experts Arc Biodiversity & Climate to assist with the creation of the LNRS on the Island. Island Nature is the LNRS for the whole of the Isle of Wight and its inshore waters, drawing together experience and expertise from across the spectrum: regulators, residents, the farming, forestry and landowning community, businesses, community groups and environmental organisations, in order to shape positive change for wildlife. The strategy will be published by the end of 2024. Take part in the Island Nature Survey How can you help? Please take part in the Island Nature Survey. This short questionnaire will help us understand your priorities for wildlife and habitat recovery on the Island and help identify those places that you feel could work wilder! Samantha Buck, director at Arc Biodiversity & Climate, said: “There will be many ways for everyone to get involved, whoever you are, and whatever you do on the Island, you can play a part. By contributing to this survey, you are already making an essential contribution.” Richard Grogan, Isle of Wight National Landscape manager, said: “Working with the Isle of Wight Council on the IWLNRS confirms the IW National Landscape Partnership’s commitment to practical action in the Isle of Wight Biosphere for nature recovery. We hope as many people as possible from all walks of life on the Island will take part in the survey and help shape the future of the bugs, beasts and birds that make the Isle of Wight their home.” Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox, Cabinet member for climate change, biosphere and waste, said: “The Island Nature work will play an important role in helping nature and wildlife on our Island recover and flourish. This survey is the first part of the process and I hope as many residents as possible will get involved.” |
