Protect & restore wildlife

Even though we have protected areas where some of our vulnerable wildlife species can thrive, many of these places are in poor condition and they exist in isolation. At sea, only a tiny percentage of our marine habitats are protected.

HELPING WILDLIFE ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is forcing species to move to new areas in search of places to feed and raise their young. But what if, for example, a wading bird driven north by warming temperatures can’t find another suitable wetland to move to? It soon finds itself in big trouble. This is already happening, and it will happen more and more frequently as temperatures continue to rise.

A NETWORK OF WILDLIFE SITES

We need to restore existing places for wildlife to full health, and we need to create new wildlife habitats. We also need to join these sites with stepping-stones and corridors of habitat within our urban and agricultural landscapes. By creating a network of linked wildlife sites, we can give species the ability to colonise new areas as the climate forces them to move. We help them to be resilient.

WE’RE WORKING TOWARDS AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE:

• our best water habitats are protected, enhanced, increased in size and number, and are better connected
• our wildlife populations are safeguarded and improved
• the quality and extent of our lakes, rivers and wetlands is enhanced for everyone to enjoy
• we have a network of marine protected areas where wildlife is abundant
• all conservation activities are based on the results of high-quality scientific research
• people feel better connected to their local places for wildlife and get outside to appreciate them more often.

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children” – Native American proverb