One Big Thing for Nature: guest blog post by Andy Lester

Following the launch of the State of Nature report, I am keen to stimulate a debate about what else we need to do to live in harmony with nature. Over the next few weeks, people from differing perspectives will propose their One Big Thing for Nature. Today, I am delighted to welcome Andy Lester, Conservation Director of A Rocha UK. A Rocha is a Christian environmental and nature conservation movement which now operates in 19 countries on five continents, including the UK. Its work encompasses practical involvement in nature conservation projects and ecological research, campaigning on biodiversity issues and engaging with churches, schools and communities.

The State of Nature report at first glance makes for some truly depressing reading. Whilst the facts and the figures are not entirely unexpected - others stand out as an appalling testament to the state of our nation ... no more so than the knowledge that we have lost 44 million birds since the 1960s. No wonder our countryside and our towns and cities seem bereft of clouds of wheeling swifts, flocks of chattering house sparrows and large autumn murmurations of starlings.

But all is not lost. There is real hope - and if anything this report serves, in the words of Sir David Attenborough, as a wake-up call, an opportunity for real hope and genuine inspiration.

So what happens next? What is the next big thing that can really reshape the conservation arena?  In the book of Romans in the New Testament St Paul says; “But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not already have we wait for it patiently”. (ch 8, v24-25)   This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to take stock at not just the state of our natural world but also the deeper state of the nation and in doing so find real reasons to hope again.

For our charity, the journey starts with God: that the planet belongs to Him. Psalm 24:1 says, “The Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it ...” and that our role is as the stewards or protectors of the planet.

 In this context we believe that the answer to the State of Nature report is found in empowering individuals from the ages of 3 to 103 with a deep excitement and reverence for nature. That does not just mean loving nature - but loving a creative God, who through evolutionary principles has created a world of intricate detail, immaculate design and incredible revelation.  To make this happen we are working with churches to create urban and rural blueprints for change. That means encouraging community groups, with church support to take on brownfield sites, waste ground, old gardens, churchyards, allotments, former industrial sites and transforming them into creative community expressions of hope.

From inner city Glasgow, to urban London and from the Gower to Sussex we are working with a multitude of organisations and inspired individuals determined to make a difference. We are also running a green church award scheme to encourage churches to take practical local action for wildlife. This then is an opportunity to develop a network of imaginative, conservation focussed, small scale, entirely accessible locations on our doorsteps. So that when things get tougher - which they surely will, each of us has a place to go and become re-inspired.

This is the only way forwards.  A nation dedicated to local expressions of hope and inspiration. If we all play our part, the next State of the Nation won’t be as challenging as this last one - and there will be enough good news to keep us focussed and hope-filled.

Do you agree with Andy? And what would be your One Big Thing for Nature?

It would be great to hear your views.