What needs to happen?
This is no secret. Wildlife is disappearing at an alarming rate - some are calling it the next mass extinction - and the threat of climate catastrophe is a constant worry.
The Wildlife Trusts are calling for at least 30% of our land and sea to be connected and protected for nature’s recovery by 2030. Making more space for nature to become abundant once again will give our struggling wildlife the chance to recover and also restore beautiful wild places - places that store carbon and help to tackle the climate crisis.
30% is the bare minimum that nature needs to start recovering but we are far short of this and need your help to turn things around...Chief Executive, The Wildlife Trusts
© Gabrielle Horup
1/3 of species are extinct or in decline
We can do this together
Together we can restore our wetlands, woodlands, heathland and grassland for the benefit of people and wildlife.
As well as providing space for nature, well managed natural habitats can capture carbon, produce clean water and food, reduce the risk of flooding in our towns and villages, and provide economic and heath benefits to local communities.
By joining our mission for nature's recovery, you will make a real difference to wildlife and our natural world. Nature has given us so much, it's now our turn to give back.
© Jon Hawkins
Restoring chalk grassland on the North Downs
Surrey Wildlife Trust is raising funds to work with others to create a ‘Wildbelt’ of wildlife rich habitat for bees, bugs and butterflies across the North Downs.
This beautiful ridge of chalk hills stretches from Farnham in Surrey to the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent and are home to a very rare habitat – chalk grassland – which has been steadily declining in the UK since the end of the World War Two.
England has lost more than 80 per cent of its chalk grassland which is devastating to pollinators and insects. Now more than ever we must take action, because we are facing a pollinator and insect crisis, with 41 per cent of insects facing extinction. Surrey has some of the fastest declining wildlife populations in England, with one third of its species now either extinct or in danger. This includes local extinctions of some bee species, such as, the shrill carder bee.
Our vision is to expand flower-rich chalk grassland and wildflower meadows along the North Downs so they become alive with the humming of bees alongside beautiful bugs and butterflies dancing from flower to flower.
Working with councils, landowners, charities, farms, vineyards, schools and community groups, we want to restore the historic chalk ridges between Guildford and Reigate, which were once needed to protect us in case of enemy invasion in World War Two. They are still needed today to protect our health and wellbeing and to protect the future of our bees, bugs and butterflies in Surrey.
Our vision is to expand flower-rich chalk grassland and wildflower meadows along the North Downs