Last night I sat down and read the draft manifesto that Chris Packham has published to coincide with Saturday's Walk for Wildlife.
It is a remarkable and provocative read.
Chris has pulled together a team of independent thinkers to outline their proposals for transforming UK's nature and the way our society interacts with the natural world.
The authors have included 200 ideas designed to prod, poke and shove politicians, policy makers and the conservation community.
Some really stand out, such as Robert Macfarlane's proposal to amend the Education Act to make nature central to the school curriculum or Carol Day's ideas about what should be included in the Prime Minister's promised Environment Bill or Dave Goulson's package of measures to reduce the use of pesticides or Mya-Rose Craig's proposals for getting greater diversity in conservation which I am convinced would lead to better decision-making.
I have no doubt that if many of these recommendations were implemented then we would be able to restore what we have lost (or as Chris says destroyed) over the past 50 years.
Many of the ideas were either new or felt fresh perhaps because of the context in which they are presented.
I didn't agree with everything - for example the comment from an anonymous farmer that all Countryside Stewardship schemes have failed - but that's not the point.
We need ideas, we need challenge and our collective job now is to respond. That, of course, includes big institutions/charities like the RSPB which must continue to find new ways to reflect the expectations of our members so that, together, we have greater impact for nature.
So, read the manifesto, personalise it and take action.
But, first, make sure you walk on Saturday.
See you there.
Rob/Martin, the fact that there has been dissent even from persons who might have been expected to support at least some parts of the walk/manifesto as well as those who could be expected to oppose it, does not suggest to me that the best way of action is anything other than ensuring it is considered carefully. Further, there are ways we can maintain some common ground with all the parties if we ensure that the parts that all groups can support are separated in some way from those which cause conflict. Many of the points raised in the manifesto have huge implications, but there is value in admitting and considering them, and not just as an aspiration.