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A little Bird Told Me…#4 :

Edition: Oceans by Joe Wilkins

At time of writing, many people around the country are heading to the coast. 

Why do we flock to the coast? Is it the open space? The cooling sea breeze? The sounds? I guess everybody has their own reasons for wanting to be beside the sea (we’d love to hear yours – @ukyouthfornature on social media!)

When I started planning this blog, I thought I would know exactly the direction it was going to take. But as I started writing, I realised there were so many topics and issues I wanted to cover. Did I want to focus on my personal love of the sea? Marine biodiversity? Access to the coast and the ocean? The ocean is such an important part of my life that I wanted to be sure that this blog did it justice.

So, I decided to use this blog as a chance to introduce a few different themes and areas of interest and serve a conversation starter for myself and you, the readers.

The State of the Ocean

“How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is quite clearly Ocean.”

Arthur C. Clarke

The ocean covers nearly three-quarters of our planet’s surface and was long thought to be too large for human activities to impact. But this is no longer the case (Pink, 2018). We are seeing large-scale changes in ocean chemistry, biology, and dynamics globally (Gattuso et al., 2015). With the threats of sea level rise, ocean warming, and acidification set to impact many countries worldwide, governments worldwide must begin looking to humanities future relationship with the ocean (IUCN, 2017). This will involve creating and implementing policy and management strategies that, firstly, reduce the impact of human activities on the sea and, secondly, reduce the effects of ocean change on coastal socio-ecological systems, particularly those increasingly vulnerable to said change. 

But what is actually being done? In a word: nothing.

It’s been nearly two months since World Ocean Day (June 8th), when businesses and world leaders were making big promises to protect the ocean. But shockingly, they haven’t followed through on any of these commitments.

Let’s do a roundup of the last month in ocean conservation:

  • The High Seas/BBNJ Treaty signing has been delayed.
  • The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity COP15 has been delayed to 2022.
  • The Gulf of Mexico was on FIRE from a ruptured pipeline.
  • The UK Government is likely to approve the drilling of massive oil field in the North Sea. Seriously? We need to #stopcambo
  • The MV X-Press Pearl Disaster has caused unknown damage to marine ecosystems in Sri Lanka.
  • Seas continue to warm.
  • It’s looking likely that Deep Sea Mining will be entering the exploitation phase in the near future. We still know so little about the deep sea and the impacts of DSM but in my opinion, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. 
What needs to be done?

This is question could be answered in a variety of different ways, depending on your area of interest. Here’s some things that spring to my mind straight away, beyond the simple “we need to protect our seas” statement often heard.

Building a love for the sea

Education is an extremely valuable tool in the fight against ocean destruction. Ocean science and conservation can be an incredibly gate-kept sector, even in comparison to other environmental studies and activism. The ocean itself can seem very distant for many people, with them feeling extremely far removed from the ocean.

Governments need to invest in nature- and ocean-based education, with funding for hands-on experiences for children and young people. Speaking from personal experience, these are extremely important to building a love and appreciation of our natural world and in this case the ocean. This is especially true for those in marginalised communities, who may not have the opportunity to otherwise.

“People protect what they love.”

Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Renowned Oceanographer

Allowing people to act on this love

Governments need to be put in place mechanisms that enable people to act upon their values. This is an issue that extends beyond the individual. Mainly this should be targeted at large businesses and corporations who have the audacity to charge extra for ‘sustainable’ options. Create a system where it doesn’t cost extra to be environmentally friendly. We need to hold companies to account and, as our representatives, governments should be acting in our best interests, not those of FTSE100 companies

Realising that technology forms only a part of the solution

This is a recurring problem globally. Many governments, particularly those who prioritise economic growth and business, look for technological development and solutions to allow business to continue to grow, often at the expense of communities and the environment. This solution is further pushed by businesspeople and industrialists globally. The most recent example was billionaire founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, suggesting that the spraying of chalk dust into the atmosphere could be the solution to climate change (Ramirez, 2021). Another ocean-based example is the pre-eminence of the plastic pollution problem among those facing the oceans and technological ‘clean-up’ solutions (Stanton, Johnson & Kay, 2020). A recent study by Hohn et al. (2020) found that clean-up technology alone will not tackle the issue of plastic pollution, but that behavioural change in our consumption and production patterns are required. Yet, this receives less prominence than ‘tech’ solutions and start-ups.

Many scholars in risk and resilience theory question the ability of technology to solve a problem caused by technology itself. Technology will play a role but there is a greater need for behavioural and systemic change rather than focusing solely on technological solutions. 

So, in short, world leaders and policymakers have a long way to go on our journey towards protecting the world’s ocean.

A personal note…

As you may have gathered, I’m extremely passionate about protecting marine environments.
The ocean is possibly the most important component of Earth’s life support system, impacting every inhabitant of this planet, even those thousands of miles from the nearest coast.

But on a personal level, I’m happiest when in the sea and that is a big reason I want to see our seas healthy and thriving. The world beneath the waves has always called me (Moana who?)! So, my desire for ocean protection may not be completely altruistic (don’t @ me).

References

Gattuso, J., Magnan, A., Billé, R., Cheung, W. W. L., Howes, E. L., Joos, F., Allemand, D., Bopp, L., Cooley, S. R., Eakin, C. M., Hoegh-Guldberg, O., Kelly, R. P., Pörtner, H. o., Rogers, A. D., Baxter, J. M., Laffoley, D., Osborn, D., Rankovic, A., Rochette, J., Sumaila, U. R., Treyer, S. & Turley, C. (2015) Contrasting Futures for Ocean and Society from Different Anthropogenic CO 2 Emissions Scenarios. Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science). 349 (6243), aac4722. Available from: https://hal.sorbonne-universite.fr/hal-01176217. Available from: doi: 10.1126/science.aac4722.

Pink, J. (2018) 5 ways that climate change affects the ocean. The Conversation.

Stanton, T., Johnson, M. & Kay, P. (2020) The war against plastic is distracting us from pollution that cannot be seen. The Conversation. Available from: https://theconversation.com/the-war-against-plastic-is-distracting-us-from-pollution-that-cannot-be-seen-147161 [Accessed 29/04/2021].

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August 2, 2021 brendenbeckett A little bird told me, Nature Nearby, Newsletter, Oceans, Our member! No Comments  

Common Bottlenose Dolphin – Natural Kingdom: Wild Walls

(Also known as Tursiops truncatus)

By Claudia Villacian Casado

Natural Kingdom: Wild Walls are a series of wildlife and nature murals in cities and towns across the UK. These murals represent our collective concern about the loss of wildlife and climate change in the UK, and internationally. Working with communities, young people, partners, and artists up and down the country we will be highlighting the importance of nature, especially for fighting climate change. The murals will be created between now and the end of September and will be accompanied by lots of political and community activity in the run up to COP26 .

Find me here: SY23 2EX

If you’re lucky enough to be looking out to beautiful Cardigan Bay from Aberystwyth on a peaceful morning, you might just be able to catch a glimpse of a sleek, dark grey, curved dorsal fin. Or hear a faint clicking sound as you see a streamlined body surfing the waves – what could it be? You’re in the presence of a playful and sociable bottlenose dolphin! 

Photo by NOAA on Unsplash

Found throughout the world and the UK but frequenting Aberystwyth through Cardigan Bay, common bottlenose dolphins help keep our oceans healthy – which is crucial to having a healthy planet. They do this by eating animals like fish and squid, maintaining the balance in the food chain. Due to anthropogenic factors, the beautiful bottlenose dolphin faces several threats. As a trusting and playful animal, bottlenose dolphins often get caught in fishing gear and our continual exploitation of our waters means commercial fishing for other species is a threat to bottlenose dolphins. While seeing a bottlenose dolphin from a boat might be a wonderful experience for humans, boat traffic and water pollution can disrupt these creatures’ natural habitat and affect their sense of orientation. Unfortunately, our impact on the planet means the bottlenose dolphin has to be on high alert. 

Photo by Andrew Jephson on Unsplash

So why should we care and what makes these dolphins so special? The bottlenose dolphins found in British waters are the biggest of their kind and from Aberystwyth looking out to Cardigan Bay is one of the best places to see them! Their size helps them cope and thrive in the cold temperature of the waters – they can live up to 50 years! Common bottlenose dolphins are social animals and love to live in groups – you call these groups pods. Another characteristic of these creatures are the different types of vocalisations they use to keep in contact. Just within the population found in Cardigan Bay, we can hear a variation in the type of whistles used to communicate. As well as whistling, bottlenose dolphins make clicking sounds so they can use echolocation to find prey or scope out their surroundings. These animals have extremely complex language systems – what do you think they’d say if we could understand? 

And how can you spot a bottlenose dolphin? The name might give you a hint – these dolphins have a short and bottle-shaped beak as well as light/dark grey bodies with a lighter underbelly. Around 60% of the dolphin population in Cardigan Bay has a distinct mark on their fin, making it easier to recognize them! Otherwise look out for these animals taking part in some activities. Bottlenose dolphins love to have fun – they’ve been known to surf on waves, jump out of the water and slap their tails! They’re also speedy swimmers – being able to reach speeds of 18 miles an hour. 

Photo by Bertrand Borie on Unsplash

After a long day of exerting so much effort, the bottlenose dolphin rests by alternating which side of their body sleeps – a type of sleep called unihemispheric sleep. A true testament to how magnificent these creatures are, they only rest one side of the body at a time so they can maintain consciousness on the other side to carry out activities like breathing or swimming very steadily. Tomorrow their day of play, hunting and communication starts again!

How are we helping, and how you can too:

Common bottlenose dolphins are at risk in our changing climate and through our exploitation of the ocean. To help, you can: 

  • Visit the mural, take a picture, draw it, post it online and celebrate its beauty! 
  • Get in touch with your local MP or councillor, write them a letter, and tell them why protecting and restoring nature is so important! We can help you get started here 
  • Support organisations like Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation and The Wildlife Trusts – get in touch with them, tell them about the mural, why you care, and let’s fight together! 
  • Learn more about our friend the Common Bottlenose Dolphin here and here. 
  • Paint/Draw/Write about your own experiences with the species and @ukyouth4nature on socials
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August 1, 2021 brendenbeckett Natural Kingdom, Our member!, Uncategorized, WildWalls No Comments  

Northern Dune Tiger Beetles – Natural Kingdom: Wild Walls

By Monica Kaur Bhatia and Bred Beckett

Natural Kingdom: Wild Walls are a series of wildlife and nature murals in cities and towns across the UK. These murals represent our collective concern about the loss of wildlife and climate change in the UK, and internationally. Working with communities, young people, partners, and artists up and down the country we will be highlighting the importance of nature, especially for fighting climate change. The murals will be created between now and the end of September and will be accompanied by lots of political and community activity in the run up to COP26 . 

Find me here: Grafton Street, Toxteth, Liverpool L8 5XJ

A little introduction 

Small and subtle, the northern dune tiger beetle is a hidden gem when it comes to the UK’s ecological build up. These invertebrates are full of surprises and go about their lives in such an exciting way, so I thought what better way to get to know these little legends than by spending a day with these incredible tiger beetles! 

Some background

For a little bit of background, northern dune tiger beetles definitely hold some cool titles on the UK wildlife scene; they are actually quite rare found in only a few places across the west coast, and exert so many beautiful intricacies, whether it’s their bright red wings, or their hidden iridescent green underside – do you see what I mean about them quite literally being hidden beauties? Along with these physical features, the beetles hold some serious skills for an insect only 2cm in length – they are thought to be one of the fastest beetles in the whole world, rocketing at speeds of 2.5 metres/second!

To put these nifty skills such as super-speed to good use however, it is fundamental that these insects are given the habitat they need to thrive – they are fussy little things, and so the temperature, along with hiding places, egg laying spots, and hunting areas of these habitats need to be just right! So, where on earth will we get all of the right conditions for these insects? The answer is sand dunes! Sand dunes aren’t just your average sandy beaches either. They have been intricately shaped by natural wonders such as the wind and water to form specific mounded shapes, and without these dunes perfectly managing the conditions for these beetles to go about their daily life, they simply wouldn’t be able to thrive in abundance.

Photo by Chantal on Unsplash

Now that we know a little more about these beetles and where they live, let us get right into how they utilise these superb skills and habitats in their daily life.

Morning time!

The day starts on the barely vegetated, sparse sand dunes of Sefton, Merseyside and Cumbria in the north west of England. For such speedy sprinters, the first call to action for these insects is surprisingly relaxing – they sunbathe! That’s right, they get to start out the day how every human wishes they could; laying on rocks, grass and the ground, basking in the sun rays. Why do they do this? Just to simply get warm – I think we all know that given how chilly it gets each night up north that these little creatures need to warm up before leaping into their active day.

Photo by p j on Unsplash

Where do they hang out for the rest of the day?

While they like to have a stretch in the sun in the mornings, they can’t laze about all day – this is the fastest beetle in the world we’re talking about, and they have so much to do! These tiger beetles spend a lot of time in their larval form before metamorphosing into adults. In this stage, they nuzzle in sand burrows – these are just holes within the sand – and while sitting down for most of their lives doesn’t make it seem like these beetles are very busy, this is the stage where they must always be on the lookout, as things are about to get interesting. 

Photo by Anthony Choren on Unsplash

Time to eat!

The way in which nutrients are obtained to sustain an active lifestyle – in the same way as humans – is through diet. Northern dune tiger beetles love to dig into a range of treats, and due to its immense hunting skills, it has its pick of the bunch; they like to eat anything from ants and spiders to moths and flies. So how does this link to the larval position we spoke about; these beetles will sit in their holes, keeping a close eye on what’s happening at the surface of the sand, pouncing on these prey as they move past the burrow. In regards to the moths and flies, the beetle is adept in flight too, and fast at that!

Photo by kazuend on Unsplash

They must be exhausted!

After this long day of hunting, sprinting, and flying, it is safe to say that these beetles need a good night’s sleep in order to do this all again in the morning. Using these same burrows, they dig into them even deeper in the night – up to 20cm, and rest here until the sun rises. These nifty holes are also where any eggs are laid and shielded in the winter time until they are ready to crop up in summer.

Photo by Basil Samuel Lade on Unsplash

This routine is unfortunately at risk

Do you remember how before we got stuck into the day, we discussed how sand dunes must be surplus and well maintained in order to sustain the exciting lifestyle of the northern dune tiger beetle? This, sadly, isn’t the case right now. While invasive species such as Rosa rugosa (a non-native species of rose originated in Eastern Asia, introduced to the UK as an ornamental species) are being maintained to limit the rate of which the land reclaims the sand dunes, human activities such as the creation of seaside attractions, holiday paths and homes, along with the natural process of dune degradation (through erosion and transport as a result of high velocity wind) means that this already rare species is at even greater risk due to displacement. 

Photo by Brina Blum on Unsplash

How are we helping, and how you can too.

Northern Dune Tiger Beetles and Sand Dunes are at risk in our changing climate and through changes in land use. To help, you can: 

  • Visit the mural, take a picture, draw it, post it online and celebrate its beauty! 
  • Get in touch with your local MP or councillor, write them a letter, and tell them why protecting and restoring nature is so important! We can help you get started here 
  • Support organisations like Buglife and Dynamic Dunescapes – get in touch with them, tell them about the mural, why you care, and let’s fight together! 
  • Learn more about our friend the Northern Dune Tiger Beetle here.
  • Paint/Draw/Write about your own experiences with the species and @ukyouth4nature on socials
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July 14, 2021 brendenbeckett Natural Kingdom, Our member!, WildWalls No Comments  

A little bird told me… #3

Edition: Hedge of Glory

By Glesni & Alanna

Farming is a way of cultivating a relationship with the more-than-human world. It connects us to our own web of life and joins up the dots on how our harvesting and cultivation impacts those around us – for better or for worse. When done with respect to other natural systems we can create more biodiversity, better health and even redirect floods/alleviate drought and capture carbon. 

Commercial large scale farms that run on fossil fuels, mono-crops and subsidies are failing us. When farms consist of large fields of one crop, and one crop only, these require huge amounts of artificial fertilizers and additives that are systematically conforming to processes of machinery. This conformity not only results in quick run-off of nutrients from the fields into the nearest waterways, but also means that any ‘product’ unconforming to shape or size gets rejected from ever leaving the farm – thus creating wasted food.

Out of the over 300,000 edible plant species out there, only 200 of these on average are eaten by the majority of people, even less so in commercially monopolised countries like the UK. If the way we farmed reflected these other species, we could create farms that reflect the landscape and dance with their own niches.

More often than not, we associate our behaviour as an ethical consumer with the impact our spending habits have on the environment and on the treatment of the workers. Whilst these are incredibly important factors to consider, there are additional questions we should be asking ourselves that feed into these. How does how we shop affect ourselves and our community?

During the pandemic, more people have been shopping locally and supporting small businesses, which has been linked to an increased feeling of community spirit. This has given people the opportunity to connect with where their food comes from, build relationships with people in their community and has given both the consumer and the business owner a chance to help each other during a time of uncertainty. 

A practice that applies similar values, includes a method of food production called Community-supported agriculture (CSA). CSA enables people in the community to form a direct partnership with the farmers. This includes sharing the responsibility and rewards of farming and enabling them to take control of their food supply. There is no one strict method or definition for CSA. Examples can include local people investing in a farm, whereby they receive a share of the produce whilst the food production is still farmer-led. There are also other groups where local people lead the farm, by sourcing a piece of land and using it to produce their own food – recruiting other members of the community to help. 

CSA schemes have been found to provide a variety of benefits to individuals, the community, the local economy and the environment. 

It has changed people’s eating habits, often leading to eating healthier and organic food, supporting better overall health and happiness. Eating seasonal fruit and vegetables has provided people with the opportunity to experiment with the different food that is available that particular season and become more connected with nature and the process of growing food. Eating seasonal local foods also means there is very little transport or plastic involved, reducing an individual’s carbon footprint. 

Concerns that we might have when buying from larger supermarkets, including excess plastic packaging and limited transparency in the food trade and production, are reduced when buying food from CSA schemes. Consumers are able to be proactive in how their food is produced, are able to get involved as much or as little as they wish to. 

People have gained new skills, connected with others in their community and according to research from the Soil Association, CSA has also improved local employment. In comparison to UK agriculture as a whole, CSA has shown higher levels of employment relative to the land available. 

If you’re looking for hands-on experience and an element of adventure, have a look at Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF). WWOOFing involves learning about sustainable and argo-ecological farming whilst working and living with a host family. During your time as a WWOOFer, you are not paid by being given money. Instead, the host family pay you by providing you accommodation and food for the time that you spend on their farm. 

Alternative farming is a great example of how food production can work in harmony with nature and the community. We hope you find a way to get involved!

To read the full Newsletter – Click the link below

A little bird told me…
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June 24, 2021 brendenbeckett A little bird told me, Blog, Nature Nearby, Our member! No Comments  

A little bird told me… #2

Edition: Connect to Roaming

Land. It’s all around us. But what comes to mind when you think of ‘land’? There is a tendency for our minds to wander to the familiar portrayal of it as large swathes of farmed fields that exist autonomously and seperate from the spaces we live in; far from towns and cities. But land is everywhere. Issues that include land include us. Everywhere we are allowed to relax, socialise,  work: – whilst not in the air or in the sea, of course, is land. Something we all bear our weight on each day, trusting the ground below us to support and cradle us, holding us close, preventing us from falling out into distant galaxies… 

And land is around us for our whole lives. Everywhere we occupy, wherever we are. 

Yet, our experiences of what type of land we each are able to access varies so vastly from person to person – from inner city parks where pigeons coo; to disused tennis courts full of dandelions and grasses sneaking up through the cracks; to vast wetlands and mountains adorned with flowering heather and the quiet buzz of bees… The type of land we can each access not only affects where we are, but also who we are and how we are. 

It has been said countless times already that the type of spaces we have been able to reach during national lockdowns have been incredibly important for our health. But just how important is it?  Research by the University Of Surrey[1] found that some birdsong were able to offer relief from stress and mental fatigue, depending on the participants’ upbringing. Studies[2] have also shown a correlation between noise pollution and exacerbation of detrimental physical and mental health issues, as well as hindering the ability to have primary socialization and develop crucial early learning skills. Chronic exposure to noise keeps your stress receptors active for longer than is healthy- wearing down your immunity and making you more vulnerable to health problems. The effects that noise pollution has on communities and families further deepens the pre-existing disparity that exists in society. 

Ensuring that we have better access to land would be a chance for us to better the health of those that we share the land with. Lepidopterist (butterfly collector!), Robert Micheal Pyle, once wrote “What is the extinction of a Condor to a child who doesn’t know a Wren?”. The strength of our connection to the life around us is reflective and shows up as reciprocal acts of care. When we understand the ecological systems around us we can find our place within them, and be a naturally equal asset to the biomes we inhabit, belonging here as much as any other species. We all have gifts that we can share. 

In the UK we have a long history with land rights. I’d recommend Three Acres and a Cow (and Gafael Tir) for a full and fun way to absorb it all (via some catchy folk songs and poems). However, I’d like to talk about our recent history. Only 24 years ago the Right To Roam  legislation was made law, and due to actions such as the Kinder Scout Mass Trespass in 1938 were the first National Parks created only 70 years ago. Currently, the Right To Roam only covers areas that equals approx 8% of England’s land (in contrast to 100% of land in Scotland). However, these areas (such as The New Forest, Dartmoor and The Peak District) are often too far away to be part of people’s daily life. Currently, the Right To Roam campaign is working on ways to further our ability to access more of these vital spaces. Emerging work such as Who Owns England and Mapping The Lost Rainforests of England is really taking strides at mapping out the unseen and unspoken. So if you are able to, do enjoy the areas that we can access in the UK, either by footpaths, rights of way or the right to roam – and be sure to check out the countryside code guidelines.

If we only conjure up images of big farms and far away forests when we think of land, we run the risk of removing ourselves from it – losing our innate connection with it and the knowledge of how to live in symbiosis. If we don’t take time to imagine the future, we will get what is already being planned – and there’s a lot of inspiration coming in our next newsletter…

Additional links: 

Slow Ways – https://beta.slowways.org 

Groundwork ‘Out Of Bounds’ report: https://www.groundwork.org.uk/about-groundwork/reports/outofbounds/?fbclid=IwAR1znEn5LgRyEEg4jmP_-FZch_sqplP7iVKdjKU9ThGgFloEOBDRyq7ABHA

The Lost Rainforests of England – https://lostrainforestsofengland.org/2021/03/16/mapping-the-lost-rainforests-of-england/

Three Acres and a Cow – history of land rights – https://threeacresandacow.co.uk

Countryside Code Infographics – https://www.nfuonline.com/news/latest-news/use-our-free-countryside-code-resources-to-spread-the-word-with-walkers/

Who Owns England – https://whoownsengland.org

Gafael Tir – http://gafaeltir.cymru/en/home/

Study citation [2] – https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/jul/03/sonic-doom-noise-pollution-kills-heart-disease-diabetes

Study citation [1] – https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/how-listening-to-bird-song-can-transform-our-mental-health.html

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May 27, 2021 brendenbeckett A little bird told me, Blog, Nature Nearby, Our member! No Comments  

UKY4N Ocean Campaign

By Joe Wilkins

Just as most* rivers eventually flow into the sea, UK Youth for Nature’s Freshwater Campaign is flowing into our Ocean Campaign.

Kicking off today (8th May 2021), our campaign will focus on critical areas of focus for UK politicians such as our coasts, territorial waters, and the High Seas (those beyond national jurisdiction).

Despite covering nearly three-quarters of the planet, the ocean has long been neglected in environmental policy and legislation. This can no longer be allowed to happen! It is not exaggerating to say that life on Earth depends on a healthy, functioning, and resilient ocean. From its control of the weather to its provision of food and other resources to its role in the mitigation of human activities such as fossil fuels, we must protect this most precious of Earth’s habitats.

Before diving into the Ocean, I would like to add that just because we are shifting our focus away from rivers does not mean we forget them altogether. It is not only water that rivers carry to the sea. They take large quantities of waste and pollution from the land into the ocean. With no river in England registering good ecological health, one must wonder about the impacts on our coastal areas such as estuaries, bays and our territorial waters. This reaffirms the need for a systemic and holistic approach to environmental conservation.

Now to fully immerse ourselves in issues facing the ocean.

Have you noticed the UK Governments choose to dodge many of the questions about our territorial waters? But what is the current condition of the UK’s territorial waters? In a word: poor (not my word of choice but this is a public blog). The Government would lead people to believe that large swathes of our territorial waters fall under the protection of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), but these are little more than paper parks. 

I was surprised to discover that only 5% of MPAs have a bottom trawling ban in force. Bottom trawling is one of the most damaging marine activities. It can release vast quantities of stored carbon from the seabed, destroy the local ecosystem and have knock-on consequences on the regional food webs. The combined impacts of bottom trawling, industrial fishing, and pollution can be devastating! The ecosystems in UK territorial waters are under extreme pressures, and we are already beginning to see impacts. Many seabirds, fish, and marine mammals are vanishing from our waters, such as the Puffin which has declined by as much as 42% over the past five years.

How can the governments claim that these areas are protected when bottom trawling and other damaging activities are allowed? The UK Governments have long lectured other countries on the best approaches to sustainable management of their waters, but I think they should be looking in the mirror (or in their reflection in the sea, though it may be polluted) and ask themselves: are we actually protecting our waters? They can no longer continue this “do as I say, not as I do” approach to ocean conservation, and we are calling on them to change now!

With the expected signing of the High Seas Treaty (formally the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty) in August, attention should also be on our role in protecting the seas beyond our view. The UK Government (Westminster) has been active in creating a Global Oceans Alliance and using its diplomatic strength to encourage others to sign the treaty, which should be commended. But on its own behaviour, the Government has been suspiciously quiet. Could this be because they are attempting to hide the fact that they in the process of giving deep-sea mining rights to global weapons companies? The High Seas Treaty needs to be strong and protect these vast areas (nearly 50% of the planet’s surface) from damaging human activities. 

As an island and maritime nation, the UK is inherently linked to the health of the ocean. But more than this, the world is connected to the health of the ocean. Every one of us. No matter if we live right on the coast or hundreds of miles away from the sea. So my ask to the UK Governments is: get serious about ocean conservation. Empty promises, paper parks, and finger pointing will no longer cut it.

Join us at UK Youth for Nature in making sure that the UK Governments keep to their promises to protect the ocean!

I would like to end my rant blog with this quote from Arthur C. Clarke about the size and importance of the global ocean:

How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is quite clearly Ocean.

*Of course, there are some exceptions to this statement. Do check out examples of rivers that end in inland basins, such as the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

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May 8, 2021 brendenbeckett Oceans, Our member! No Comments  

Large scale mammal reintroductions in the UK – what are they and why do we want them?

A What the Heck? series blog.

By Christina Derrick

What are reintroductions and why are they happening? 

Imagine going for a walk in the countryside, what animals might you expect to see? 

Probably some cows, most definitely some sheep, perhaps a red kite, a buzzard or a red fox. If you’re really lucky you might even see a pine marten if you’re in the right part of the UK or a golden eagle, even a beaver or two! What if you could see a bison, or even an elusive lynx while wandering around the woods? To some this might sound far-fetched or even scary but with the rewilding zeitgeist gradually gaining more support and credibility it may only be a matter of time before these idle dreams become reality.

In ecology and conservation, a reintroduction is the act of putting a species back into its ‘historic habitat range’, simply put it’s a place the species used to live before humans intervened. Often reintroductions provide a way for species to get back to those historic habitat ranges where they otherwise wouldn’t be able to do so, due to things like the lack of a land bridge or lack of habitat corridors to the habitats (Some species prefer shelter when they’re moving around and won’t move through open spaces). Reintroductions have happened for decades, be it through global conservation efforts or rogue gorilla reintroductions. Though every reintroduction is different, they all come with some downsides and not all of them succeed. 

The red kite and blue butterfly are good examples of species that once given a helping hand can slowly start to look after themselves after reintroduction. The red kite was globally threatened and severely range restricted in the UK in the 1980s, and the large blue butterfly was actually declared extinct in the UK in 1979, but after coordinated efforts and the translocation and reintroduction of European individuals of these species, both the red kite and the large blue butterfly are once again UK residents. 

In recent years several mammals have become focal points for reintroduction projects in the UK, including Eurasian lynx, European bison, Eurasian beaver and more. Many mammal species proposed for reintroduction were extirpated (removed) from the UK hundreds of years ago if not longer due to a combination of over-hunting, deforestation, and other land-use changes. In fact in a much more recent event, rapid industrialisation and changes in agricultural practices have led to the UK becoming one of the most ecologically depleted countries in the world.

Human society relies on ecosystems and we now understand that biodiversity is fundamental for healthy functioning ecosystems. However, taking a purely passive protectionist approach to nature and biodiversity (i.e. conserving what we have left) will not be enough to solve the ecological crisis we currently face. This is where reintroductions become important as they are a vital tool in the arsenal of a conservationist. 

How would mammal reintroductions help address the ecological crisis?

Mammal reintroductions not only address missing biodiversity in the UK, but they also restore vital ecological processes and functions that are currently missing from our ecosystems.  Since the grey wolf reintroduction programme to Yellowstone it has become abundantly clear that apex predators provide substantial ecological benefits to an ecosystem through the suppression of mesopredators (smaller predators such as fox), control of herbivore numbers, and provision of carrion for scavengers. These effects can quickly spread throughout an ecosystem, reducing the effects of overgrazing on vulnerable vegetation, and allow many other species to thrive if pressure from mesopredators is reduced. This effect is known as a trophic cascade, and in the UK it is hoped that reintroductions of top predators such as the lynx would have a similar effect in woodland habitats, where deer overgrazing is deemed a large contributor to forest habitat health decline.

However, it’s not only top predators that can have far reaching effects on their ecosystem, as cascades don’t always flow from the top down! It is becoming increasingly clear that large herbivores (mega-herbivores) play an important role in increasing ecosystem diversity. For example, through grazing, stomping and wallowing habits, European bison are key drivers of creating mosaic grassland wood pasture habitats, and by opening up areas of woodland they allow associated species like insects, butterflies and reptiles to thrive.  Wild boar do this too. By churning up earth in search of food wild boar make space for annual wildflowers, and shrubs to germinate, as well as creating burrowing opportunities for bees and beetles. So many opportunities for increasing biodiversity!

However, size isn’t everything either! At a mere 19kg the Eurasian beaver is perhaps one of the most significant ecosystem engineer species to have existed in the UK. By digging canals, building dams, and creating dead wood, beavers significantly alter the water flow of rivers, creating a diversity of habitats for life to flourish. For example, in the river Otter beaver trials small pools held more fish and allowed water vole to find refuge from invasive mink. By slowing the flow of water, beaver dams also improve the quality of downstream water by trapping carbon and nutrients leached from fields, and they can also reduce flood risk  too. 

So, by reintroducing mammals across the UK we can upscale our ecosystems, improve their resilience and benefit from nature-based solutions addressing growing environmental issues such as flooding, woodland management and even climate change! Notwithstanding the ecological benefits of mammal reintroductions, there can also be significant economic rewards for the surrounding communities through ecotourism. 

If mammal reintroductions are so great, why aren’t we doing them everywhere?

Mammal reintroductions (or reintroductions in general) aren’t the silver bullet to solve all our ecological problems. Great care must be taken to ensure that the species has a significant chance of success where it is reintroduced and there are several considerations to address namely:

Space and habitat.

The UK landscape has changed over the last few thousand (or even few hundred) years. Over the long term forest cover has decreased, urban sprawl has increased, and fences, motorways and other roads criss-cross the land cutting the countryside up into little chunks that represent a significant challenge for the reintroduction of some large ranging species. However, there are still many areas of the UK physically suitable for the reintroduction of mammals, and with increased focus on landscape scale rewilding and reforesting initiatives many more areas could become suitable.

Cost and logistics. 

Capturing, breeding, and transporting wild mammals from mainland Europe to the UK is expensive, for example the Wilder Blean bison project is estimated to cost around £1 million. A great deal of skill, and expertise is also required both in technical field logistics and navigating the UK conservation legislation which is not set up to easily facilitate reintroductions. 

Opposition from landowners and other interest groups

Not all mammal reintroductions are controversial, for example the Vincent Wildlife Trust pine martin recovery project in Wales made little in the way of newspaper headlines. However, more controversy exists around proposed reintroductions of predators or other species that have the potential to impact or change current ways of living. 

Given the lengthy periods of time many reintroduction candidates have been absent from the UK, they no longer exist in our cultural memory, that is we do not remember how to live alongside them. When viewed in this disconnected way some of their impacts can be perceived as nuisances or unnecessary risks rather than ‘facts of life’. 

Opposition to mammal reintroductions ranges from fear of injury, predation, the spread of disease to livestock and/or other native species, to worries about flooding of agricultural fields or damage to infrastructure (in the case of beavers). These worries are not always unfounded and for a reintroduction to be successful they must be addressed. This is where conservationists and ecologists need to look outside their own field and collaborate with social scientists, local governments, and the communities surrounding reintroduction areas too. 

Some exciting examples

Despite the myriad of obstacles to mammal reintroductions in the UK there are still some encouraging examples with some creative solutions!

Wilder Blean

As you may be aware, recent proposals to reintroduce the lynx to the UK have been met some staunch opposition, especially from farmers who fear predation. As mentioned above, predator reintroduction proposals are often more controversial than herbivore reintroductions. Even herbivores who weigh a whopping 600 kg! So, while we may be a way off seeing lynx once again roam the UK countryside, we are only a few years away from seeing European Bison! Extirpated from the UK 15,000 years ago and driven to the brink of extinction in the rest of Europe too, four of these giants are set to be released in Kent in 2022. As part of an ambitious project co-led by Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwoods Trust aiming to ‘rewild’ Blean woods through natural (bison led) woodland management. 

Beavers

While successful beaver trials and subsequent reintroductions were carried out without enclosures in Scotland, in other parts of the UK the prospect of free release can be contentious (for reasons discussed above). However, that has not stopped the establishment of several successful enclosed trials which have shown the huge landscape benefits of welcoming these creatures back to our waterways. In Cornwall, Devon and Kent small numbers of beavers have been released into enclosures ranging from 3 – 30 hectares where they have been a huge success in restoring wet meadows and fens, and slowing water flow which could be vital to combatting local flooding! 

Knepp

On the sprawling 3,500-acre Knepp estate, populations of Tamworth pigs are working wonders for the land. The intensive farmland come pioneering rewilding project has used creativity to overcome dangerous animal laws that prohibit the reintroduction of wild boar to the area. Instead they use the rare Tamworth pig as a proxy. Despite being slightly smaller than its wild relative, the pigs grazing and rooting behaviour is helping to boost invertebrate and bird populations on the estate. Knepp now has the largest breeding population of the purple emperor and is the only place in the UK where turtle dove populations are increasing!

To cut a long story short, mammal reintroductions are an incredibly important tool for solving the ecological crisis we currently face. Not only in terms of replacing or reinforcing extirpated or threatened populations of species but also for improving ecosystem health and diversity through the reestablishment of vital ecosystem services. Clearly, context is important and there are a variety of socio-economic and ecological factors that need to be considered when considering reintroductions, a lynx in Hyde park probably wouldn’t be very happy for example. However, the time has come to be proactive, taking a purely protectionist approach to nature conservation is not enough given the depauperate state of UK wildlife. The future is rewilding and we should embrace it!

** End note **

This blog post has focussed on mammal reintroductions however, it should be stated that reintroductions of other groups such as birds, invertebrates, plants, and fungi too. All species have a role to play in their ecosystem and the more there are the more resilient the ecosystem can be.

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May 7, 2021 brendenbeckett Our member!, What the heck? No Comments  

A little bird told me…

Edition: Restore Our Rivers

Newsletter blog by Joshua Harris

You can really immerse yourself in a river. Both literally of course, but also by observing the physical and biological activity which is taking place there. Rivers, and aquatic environments in general, have an extra dimension of living space for organisms to occupy – the water. So you have these three kinds of living space in close proximity: the trees and other plants along the river banks; the aquatic world of algae, aquatic plants, and riverbed life; and the air in the river channel along which the kingfishers and dippers zoom. 

Then there are the connections between these different realms: the caddisfly larvae under the rocks on the bottom of the stream which feed aerial dippers; the bats which roost under the bark of the dead trees and feast on the emerging midges; the kingfishers which zoom up and down the tunnel of air between the riverbanks and the overhanging vegetation; the deer, foxes, and badgers which come from land to drink at the river. 

In lockdown, as many people have got to know their local areas more intimately, rivers are the perfect way to explore a landscape. And since the UK has 200,000km of rivers and streams, you are never too far away from the opportunity. In last year’s lockdown, I spent many days exploring my local network of rivers and streams to search for evidence of a certain elusive mammal. Often dragging my kayak through streams little wider than ditches, clambering over weirs and woody debris, and keeping undercover of the overhanging vegetation, I was really immersed in the environment, seeing it from the perspective of the creatures which live there. In small streams with high banks, you can’t see anything either side; on one day, I travelled for about 10 miles barely encountering any signs of human activity. On other occasions I have spent hours sitting half submerged in the river to photograph dippers from the water level, passing the time by watching the minnows congregating around my legs and the kingfishers zooming past my head. 

Rivers are amazing, and you can get lost in exploring the diversity of life they hold, but our rivers today are a shadow of their former selves. The river which I spent my summer exploring is polluted on a near weekly basis in winter by sewage discharges whenever there is heavy rain, as well as slurry and fertiliser pollution from farming. A report last year found that just 14% of English rivers were classified as being in “good” ecological condition, and none any better than that. It’s often said that wildlife populations are nearing a cliff edge, but in the case of British migratory fish, they’ve pretty much already fallen off. The 8 foot long sturgeon which once migrated up our rivers are long gone, eels are critically endangered, and salmon are almost extinct in most rivers. Medieval records tell us of the almost inconceivable abundance of migratory fish which once thronged our river systems and marshlands, in numbers which would once have rivalled those we see in western north America today.

To restore our rivers we’ll need a variety of approaches. Removing dams and weirs would allow migratory fish to journey unimpeded from sea to source, and reinstate some of the natural hydrology – meanders, gravel banks, eroded river cliffs, etc. At the same time, reintroducing beavers (whose dams are porous and often have side channels, allowing migratory fish to pass) could kickstart interesting hydrological processes and create wildlife habitats in our headwater streams, as well as holding back the flow of water after heavy rain. We urgently need proper regulation of the farming industry and water companies, as well as the adoption of better farming techniques (zero till farming, buffer strips, and the reduction of livestock numbers adjacent to watercourses), and better infrastructure for dealing with sewage.

We should also allow more public access to rivers so that people can engage with them. Currently a shocking 97% of rivers are off limits to wild swimming and kayaking. If we could implement a 20m buffer zone either side of our rivers and streams with no cultivation or chemical applications, and then allow public access to these areas, then this could form corridors for people and wildlife through the landscape. 

River restoration provides huge benefits for both nature and people – diverse wildlife habitats, recreation, flood alleviation, and ecological connectivity. With some fairly simple changes we could all enjoy living rivers. 

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April 28, 2021 brendenbeckett A little bird told me, Blog, Newsletter, Our member! No Comments  

The power of Awe: How nature changed my outlook on my place in the world

By Ella Gregory

Nature has an almost hidden power to elicit grand emotions from us. This concept, in literature, is called the sublime and is defined by the Tate as ‘a quality of greatness or grandeur that inspires awe and wonder…a source of inspiration for artists and writers, particularly in relation to the natural landscape.‘

This feeling of reverence, one that is so consuming it is almost indescribable, has featured in many great works of art and literature, including The Prelude by William Wordsworth and Romantic art, like that of Joseph Mallord William Turner. Works of art that capture the sublime have the power to produce overwhelmingly strong reactions from the observer, usually accompanied by a recognition of how small we as individuals are. 

The truly magical thing is that nature inherently has this power, without needing to be sculpted or created nature can remind us simultaneously of how small and how important we are. This reaction is characterised by a feeling of awe, sometimes including both a fearful feeling and one of great amazement.

Awe surpasses the traditional dichotomy of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ emotions and offers a unique experience. A lot of research has been done into the importance of feeling awe, the effects it can have on our life and outlook. “Awe walks” are an activity that we can all take part in and have shown to “reduce self-focus, promote social connection, and foster prosocial actions by encouraging a ‘small self‘.” Awe is an emotion, that one we open ourselves up fully, can be felt in most areas of life, but it is most easily felt when we are in nature.

A truly incredible example of an awe-inspiring experience is described by ‘The Overview Effect’. It is an experience had by astronauts viewing the Earth from space, that promotes greater clarity and interconnectedness. Some of these astronauts went on to experience profound shifts in their worldview that stayed throughout their lives. Edgar Mitchell, an astronaut on Apollo 14, described the effects of seeing the Earth from space: “You develop an instant global consciousness, a people orientation, an intense dissatisfaction with the state of the world, and a compulsion to do something about it. From out there on the moon, international politics look so petty. You want to grab a politician by the scruff of the neck and drag him a quarter of a million miles out and say, ‘Look at that, you son of a bitch.” He spoke about it being an ‘epiphany’ and that the feeling of being in a ‘larger reality’ inspired him to change his life back on Earth. Most importantly Allen felt that his ‘role in the universe completely shifted. I saw myself as part of a bigger cosmic picture.’ This inspired him to think about our global lack of sustainability, which should worry us all, and realise that what could combat this is a ‘love of nature’ and ‘love of each other’.

The feeling of awe for many has a direct spiritual connection. It is a key feature of mystical experiences, and the feeling of vastness and oneness is one typically embraced by those following a spiritual path. However, this new research into awe is showing us that it needn’t be reserved for those who believe in some sort of higher power, and that awe has the ability to help us shape a kinder society for all. It has also been suggested that awe-inspiring experiences can open us up to further personal growth.

I have experienced this myself through meditating and walking in nature. The ‘vastness’ that often accompanies these experiences is both terrifying and humbling and I have walked away with a renewed sense of my place in the world and a determination to do good.

These benefits of awe show us another reason why greater access for nature is needed. We should all have the chance to improve ourselves and to feel such beneficial emotions. This is why our campaign ‘Nature Nearby’ is so important, we are calling on the UK government for better access to nature so that people across the UK have access to nature’s benefits, of which awe is one of many.

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April 19, 2021 brendenbeckett Nature Nearby, Our member!, Power of, Uncategorized No Comments  

The Power of parks

By Monica Bhatia

Some people may question, “What’s so special about a park?”. Even though the idea of stretches of green grass and stoney paths may be seen as boring to some, these places are the ones we can always rely on; they are always free, often accessible, and have been one of the safest and only places we have been able to turn to for the past year or so. Not to be stereotypical and discuss the revelations I have had during this lockdown, but many months after not leaving my home, I stumbled across a park that is a one minute drive from my home – I have lived in the same house all of my life and I never knew this place existed – and since then, going for a quick lap around this park has been the highlight of my days and weeks. It provided me with a place to exercise, a place to think and breathe, and a place to get away. Parks feed the nation with so many rich benefits, and in this post I am going to discuss a mere few of the beautiful gifts that parks provide us with. 

Physical health – run, walk, cycle or jog, these parks provide paths that allow us to get our steps in in an environment that is peaceful and calm. Different routes allow for different amounts of exercise, and in addition to this, many parks are fitted with gym equipment! You can easily argue that one could simply walk down the street for their daily walk, buy some home exercise equipment or head to the gym for a work out, yet there is something about parks that makes the often daunting idea of working out more comfortable. Walking down the street is great, but the thing about streets is it is often just houses after houses – this almost mundane surrounding can lead to demotivation when it comes to exercise, yet in a park, there is always the option to try something new! You can take a new path each time, or even if you choose to take the same one, I guarantee there will always be something new there that wasn’t there the day before – this could be as simple as a new bug or bird sound, or something drastic and beautiful like the colours of the leaves on trees changing – either way, this ever changing environment can be the factor that motivates people to visit and therefore exercise in parks every day. In regards to working out in the gym or in your homes, I understand that a lot of people almost feel embarrassed about working out in front of regular gym goers or family, but in parks there is a certain comfort in knowing that everyone is here to do the same thing – just go for an easy walk! In addition to this, if you’re lucky you will have a dog run up to you, and I can’t think of anything more motivational than that. 

My go to walk route in my local park!

Mental health. This is what I have gained the most from these parks. The quiet, the fresh air, and the open space combined provides an environment perfect for organising your thoughts, or given that parks create a world separate to the crowded urban streets, the option to leave your worries at the gate and get back to them when you’re ready. Whenever I find myself stressed, I often get so frustrated that I can’t make myself feel better where I am in the house – I ask myself “why do I need to go somewhere to clear my head?” – but that’s precisely the issue. You cannot make yourself feel better in the environment that is stressing you out, from the mound of homework laying on your desk to the loud hustle and bustle going on in your kitchen, to feel better, you need to get away from the source of worry. I can fully admit that now, sitting at my laptop with a huge to do list of tasks ahead of me, that a simple 10 minutes outside would make me feel miles better.

I remember exactly how I felt when I took this one! I’d been sitting at home for 3 days straight, and felt so demotivated. I went to the park to get a break and saw the blossoms and remembered it was the beginning of spring! And while I was still stressed, simply seeing the blossoms provided me with a mental boost.

Hobbies and education. The fact that something as simple as a space full of grass and trees could open up so many doors and interests is mind boggling! While these links may not seem direct, the sheer beauty of a park can stimulate something in us creatives, this thing being inspiration! The colours, sounds, and feelings you can gain while in your park can fuel you with ideas to put in a vast array of things you do, whether it’s the things you do for fun such as music or art, or the things you have to do such as school assignments or projects – I’m an A Level student, and I can find myself in a biology lesson learning about anything from photosynthesis to the food web and I can actually think to myself “wait – I’ve seen this happen!” even if it was simple observing a leaf or seeing a bird gobble up a worm. I think a huge, direct hobby that I have gained from my parks is photography – not even anything special; I strolled into the park with nothing but my phone camera, and I left with a gallery full of pictures that were fairly decent, and since then whenever I go somewhere where there is a chance of coming across a spot of nature, a camera is always at the ready – this may seem simple, or uninteresting to some, but having this simple hobby to fall back on that has no commitments, pressure, and is free of charge provides me with so much joy. 

Finding moss in the park gives me an example of a component of a woodland area when studying ecosystems!

Community – this links to my last point. Let’s just say, if you’re a nature lover, that instantly makes you part of a pretty cool community – as I started to post the pictures mentioned above on my social media, I found myself being embraced into a community of wildlife photographers that I didn’t even know existed – the ability to talk, text and share with talented photographers all across the globe was a blessing in a time where I couldn’t even leave the house to see friends, and none of this would have happened had I not ventured into a park and took some simple photographs.  

One of my favourite bits of nature photography.

To conclude, I want to acknowledge how lucky I am to have a park on my doorstep – I understand that this is a privilege that not many have (if you’d like to help us ensure that this isn’t the case, keep up with our Nature Nearby campaign, we are all over the idea of equal access to nature like a rash!), yet if you are one of the lucky ones, all I can say is go. No commitments or anything, but just go for a little bit of your day, and I promise you that there will be something incredible to gain.

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April 9, 2021 brendenbeckett Our member!, Power of, Uncategorized No Comments