The Wildlife Trust in Cambridgeshire introduces a Young People’s Forum
In the wake of COP26 the passion and commitment of so many young people all around the globe with a keen focus on taking action for the environment and climate change has been clear to see.
Drawing inspiration from young activists like Greta Thunberg, the world’s youth movements are following the science of climate change closely. They are reading and engaging with climate and biodiversity science and policy in a way that previous generations haven’t, and with good reason.
Without action, their futures will be increasingly dominated by the heatwaves, storms and floods that have featured in so many climate projections.
The voices of a new generations are making themselves heard.
The Wildlife Trust in Cambridgeshire have launched a Young People’s Forum for those looking to play a part locally in the fight for our planet, looking for committed volunteers with a passion for local wildlife as well as global environmental issues of climate crisis and the loss of biodiversity.
The forum aims to provide opportunities to take action for wildlife and the environment, creating content for social media and web, representing the trust to other young people, organising events to learn more about wildlife and environmental issues and helping to ensure their ideas and voices help shape the work of the trust.
Interest is welcomed from anyone living, working, or studying in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire or Northamptonshire aged between 11 and 24, passionate about conservation, and with the confidence to represent the views of other people.
Diversity and inclusion are paramount and the trust is committed to creating an environment where those from all backgrounds feel welcome, listened to and valued.
Anyone interested can get in touch at youngpeoplesforum@wildlifebcn.org.
Visit www.wildlifebcn.org/take-action/young-peoples-forum.
Nature reserves: restricted access
The Wildlife Trust anticipates restricted access at some Cambridesghire nature reserves this coming winter and spring for a combination of reasons: more frequent adverse weather conditions due to climate change mean that these restrictions will become increasingly necessary.
Ancient woodlands face complex problems - waterlogged soils, standing water and deep mud all cause long term damage with continued use of paths and tracks: repeated trampling due to widening of paths causes vegetation and habitat loss which can take years to recover. This means that some bluebell woods will be included in springtime restrictions.
Seasonal woodland maintenance is vital for all woods at some point especially the larger they are, on occasion requiring specialist contractors with heavy machinery for felling. Storm damaged trees present safety issues and in some instances, the increasing impacts of ash dieback are requiring substantial removal of dead and infected trees both now and in the future.
The trust’s Cambridgeshire senior reserves manager Matt Hamilton says: “We never like having to restrict access at any nature reserves, but the impacts of climate crisis will, unfortunately and inevitably, continue to create problems looking ahead. Warmer wetter winters such as the past couple of years with unprecedented levels of intense rainfall in concentrated short amounts of time, are likely to recur. Many of our woodlands are located on impermeable heavy clay soils which become delicate when wet and prone to puddling. We need to protect these places for wildlife and visitors, and hope that people will be sympathetic and appreciate the long term benefits.”
Plenty of nature reserves will remain open, those able to successfully resist more extreme conditions - check the trust’s website for all current and anticipated closures or restrictions. Know before you go www.wildlifebcn.org/reserve-updates.
Sustainable shopping
At the Wildlife Trust’s online shop there's an outbreak of hares, hedgehogs, foxes, badgers, bees and beetles. Everyone's favourite species are splashed across a range sustainable T-shirts and hoodies.
All the tops are made from recycled or organic, sustainably produced cotton, printed in the UK in a renewable energy-powered factory. Completing the sustainability cycle, as and when they wear out, they can be returned to manufacturer for recycling. Ideal Christmas presents for the environmentalists in your life . . . https://shop.wildlifebcn.org/collections/sustainable-clothing
Visit https://www.wildlifebcn.org/blog/guest-post/secret-shoppers-xmas-swag.
Wildlife Photography Competition 2022
Get cameras ready and head out - the Wildlife Trust BCN photography competition 2022 is open for entries.
This year’s theme is Nature From Every Angle: take a sideways slant, an angular approach and a particular perspective on wildlife places and species. The top three winning photographers will bag prizes supplied by Canon UK and Opticron, and the top 24 images will be published in the trust’s 2023 calendar. Find out more at wildlifebcn.org/get-involved/photo-competition.
Read more from the Wildlife Trust
How Wildlife Trust youth rangers have been aiding Cambridgeshire care home
How Wildlife Trust and University of Cambridge are exploring climate change impact on butterflies
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