Today's guest blog comes from the Greater Thames - in an area of heavy industry, commercial shipping and intensive farming; you would be forgiven for thinking that the Thames is no place for a wildlife haven!
Hello!
My name is Stef Lawrence and back in April this year I began my exciting new role as Community Engagement Officer for the Greater Thames Futurescape.
The vision
Picture thousands of families enjoying our wonderful green spaces; making homes for wildlife in their gardens and going for bike rides alongside the Thames at the weekend. Picture local businesses and communities working to give nature a home in their area. This is our vision for the Greater Thames - will you join us?
How are we helping wildlife?
The marshland is home to the marsh harrier (once as rare in the UK as the golden eagle!), cute water voles roam the reed-fringed ditches, and around half a million migrant birds rely on the area for feeding and roosting.
Sadly, this landscape is in trouble and we are at risk of losing the fantastic wildlife that depend on it. The RSPB is working to halt declines in nature, but we can’t do it alone. We need bigger, better and more connected spaces for nature. 6 MILLION people live and work on the doorstep of the Thames Estuary and we need their help to give nature a home here!
As well as working on our reserves, we are helping major commercial operators such as London Gateway Port and CrossRail do their bit for nature – and it’s working! The Breeding Birds Survey (completed last month) saw a dramatic increase on last year in breeding lapwing and tern numbers on the North Kent Marshes. At the beginning of June the incredibly rare Maid of Kent beetle was found at Cliffe Pools. This fascinating creature, which mimics a bumble bee, was rediscovered in 1997. Before this, it was believed that the species went extinct in the 60s! This is proof that saving nature in the Thames is possible. We have the scientific research and we have the tools, we just need your support to take us forward.
We are now looking to communities and the general public to give nature a home in the Greater Thames. Could your garden be a home for bumble bees or a lair for ladybirds? Or perhaps your school grounds could host a mini-beast mansion? We want to help people to help nature, so that it is there for our children and our chidren’s children (and our children’s children’s children!) to enjoy.
So, what am I up to?
I’ve had a wonderful first few months in my new job: exploring the Thames Estuary, hanging out with lots of intrepid nature heroes (and their mums and dads!) and discovering lots of amazing wildlife!
Did you join us sleeping under the stars at the Big Wild Sleepout, telling stories at the Dartford Festival or learn how you can give nature a home at one of our workshops? Or did you help us build a bug hotel at Brogdale Farm? If you didn’t, don’t worry – there are lots of chances for you to get out and enjoy nature in the Greater Thames. Watch this space or lots of exciting events, activities and competitions!
Perhaps you’ll come exploring at Northward Hill’s Wildlife and Countryside Fair? Or join us for One Wild Day at Wallasea? There are lots of opportunities for everyone (young and old!) to discover nature. Maybe your school will help us set the world record for the longest line of bunting, showing just how many children care about nature in the Greater Thames! We’d love to hear from anyone who would like to help us give our nature a home.
Get involved!
This Saturday (31st August), I am swimming 1 mile in the Royal Victoria Dock in support of the RSPB’s work in the Greater Thames. Check out my JustGiving page to see how I am getting on and pledge your support: www.justgiving.com/swimfornature
Contact me on Stephanie.Lawrence@rspb.org.uk or search #JeThames on Twitter to find out all the latest news.