Leading wildlife organisations, including Wildlife Trusts Wales, publish a landmark State of Nature 2023 report. It shows that nature is continuing to decline at an alarming rate across the UK, which is already one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. 

 The State of Nature Wales 2023 report shows: 

  • 18% (one in six) of our species are at risk of extinction from Wales, including plants and animals such as Fen Orchid, Water Vole and Sand Lizard.  
  • The abundance of land and freshwater species has on average fallen by 20% across Wales since 1994.  
  • Of almost 3,900 species assessed, more than 2% are already extinct in Wales. 

People’s concern about nature loss, climate change and degraded wild places is a significant voting issue. Wildlife Trusts Wales are calling on Welsh MP’s of all parties to commit to an ambitious programme of policies to support nature’s recovery across the UK. 

In view of the nature crisis, Wildlife Trusts Wales have identified five priorities for MP’s ahead of the next UK general election: 

Bring back the UK’s lost wildlife 

The UK Government must work across departments to put nature into recovery by protecting and restoring at least 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030. Beavers should be in every river catchment, a nature recovery network should join up wild places, and damaging fishing practices – such as bottom trawling – must be banned. 

End river pollution 

With the UK among the worst countries in Europe for water quality, the UK Government must sufficiently fund all enforcement agencies to do their job. By 2030, nutrient pollution from farming, sewage and development must at least be halved, there must be stronger protections for waterways, and more wetlands should be created to tackle flood and drought. 

Fund wildlife-friendly farming  

The destruction of nature and impacts of climate change are the biggest threats to food security in the UK. Farmers must be supported and incentivised to help wildlife recover by creating more space for nature, significantly reducing pollution, and halving harm from pesticides by 2030. The budget for nature-friendly farming should increase to at least £4.4 billion a year, with a corresponding uplift for Welsh farmers.

Enable healthy communities 

More than a third of people are unable to access green places near their home. The UK Government must support the creation of more greenspace in neighbourhoods, fund and integrate green prescribing into community-based health services and enable all children to access outdoor learning opportunities. 

 Tackle the climate emergency by protecting and restoring natural habitats 

Nature can make a huge contribution to achieving net-zero targets if habitats are restored because peatlands, woodlands, and other wild places store carbon. Additionally, the UK Government must integrate climate adaptation strategies across all departments, create a nature recovery network to help wildlife adapt to change, protect blue carbon stores from damage, and invest in energy efficiency. 

Frances Cattanach, Chief Executive of North Wales Wildlife Trust says: “North Wales is the most amazing place for wildlife.  Its beautiful coastline, snow-topped mountains, heather-covered moorlands, clear streams and Celtic rainforests host everything from resplendent birds of prey, dolphins and oak trees to reclusive dormice, rare orchids and red squirrels. These wonderful places and wildlife are under threat from pollution, habitat loss and our changing climate. The once common upland bird, with its evocative call, the curlew has declined by around 90% in the last 20 years, and is on the verge of extinction in Wales – numbers plunging by 6% a year. We desperately need wilder and more natural areas to help wildlife recover, enable nature to adapt to climate change and create healthier, happier, and more prosperous communities. Nature recovery is the answer to so many social challenges and it’s up to our elected representatives to ensure that is reflected in policies ahead of the next election.” 

Rachel Sharp, Director of Wildlife Trusts Wales says:  “The latest State of Nature report shows that despite some successes, the alarming ongoing decline of wildlife in Wales has not stopped. It is shocking that extinctions continue, with 1 in 6 species in Wales continuing to be threatened. We know what actions are needed, but the scale and pace of the restoration of the natural world is missing to address the nature crisis. Nature is threatened by poor management, development, pollution and the use of pesticides. With 90% of the land in Wales farmed, farmers have a unique role to play in nature’s recovery and must be recognised and enabled to implement further measures for nature through the new sustainable farming scheme that will be introduced by the Welsh Government in 2025. We also need to remember that Wales has more sea than land and is experiencing the same decline from development and the lack of effective management. With a Team Wales approach involving both the public, farming and private sectors, we believe that nature’s recovery can happen, but business as usual is not an option; we need urgent action.”    

Photo Credit: Peter Cairns