I always feel fortunate to have made a career from my hobby. Spending time in nature nourishes me and makes for an enjoyable working day.

We can’t deny that there is a lot of pressure on nature right now, which has not been helped by the UK Government’s lousy Planning and Infrastructure Bill being bulldozed through, stripping away vital protection for species and habitats. The ‘build baby build’ rhetoric and debunked notion that nature is impeding growth are creating a narrative that nature exists in isolation – it’s ‘nature or’ rather than ‘nature and’.

At the same time, a recent study at the University of Derby suggested that we are losing our connection with nature, and this will continue unless we make societal and policy changes. There is potential for the ‘extinction of experience’, with fewer people spending time in nature.

Yet, amid the gloom, I see and feel inspired by the actions being taken in our communities to promote a nature positive future and to hold decision makers to account.

Contacting your local MP

With so many attacks on nature recently, there has never been a better nor more important time to ask our MPs to defend nature. Writing to your MP is a really effective way to raise important issues and to ask for their support or views on a particular topic. It also provides our elected representatives with valuable insight into the issues that matter most to their constituents. 

During the recent campaigns, led by the Wildlife Trusts, to encourage changes to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, more than 2,100 emails were sent to MPs that represent the Avon region, and to the Chancellor. This is an incredible response from local communities who care deeply about nature.

While the Government whipped its MPs to push this dreadful Bill through, the cumulative power of the 65,000 emails sent from across the UK did help to secure some verbal concessions from ministers. It’s important that we keep reminding them of these commitments over the next few important months.

Co-benefits of defending nature

Contacting our elected representatives also helps to remind them that nature should be at the heart of our communities. We need to ensure that there is equal access, for everyone to experience the co-benefits of social cohesion, good mental health and wellbeing, and reducing isolation. Local green spaces have a pivotal role to play, especially in our urban areas. Nature also needs connections, from the vital stepping stones that help wildlife to thrive to the opportunities for people to immerse themselves in the natural world. 

So, despite the many challenges facing nature at the moment, there is still much that makes me feel positive during my working day. Hearing from individuals and community groups who are taking action where they live, whether managing green space for wildlife or being the changemakers for nature and contacting their MP about local issues, there are lots of examples that show a strong and deep nature connection. It feels like societal change is already happening, we just need the decision makers to do their bit and make the policy changes.

Avon Wildlife Trust has a wealth of resources to help you contact your MP about the local issues facing nature:

Send a postcard to your MP    Write to your MP

 Send a 'letter to the Editor' of your local paper