On Thursday the RSPB co-hosted the fourth Annual Awards Reception – and the first ever Virtual Reception - for the MP Species Champions project.
This project involves 10 nature-focused charities, including partners such as Buglife, the Angling Trust, the Dragonfly Society and the Marine Conservation Society. The aim of the project is to pair MPs up with threatened and endangered species. The project currently involves 47 MPs covering all the major political parties, with these MPs championing a huge range of species from Atlantic Salmon and the Ruderal Bumblebee, to the Curlew, Natterjack Toad and Violet Click Beetle.
These MPs work to take the plight of their species to the heart of our political system – undertaking activities such as speaking up in debates, tabling amendments to legislation, and writing to Government Ministers. Their efforts are crucial to keep a focus on the importance of species and nature conservation as the Government works to tackle the Nature and Climate Crises.
Despite the coronavirus pandemic confining us to dialling into Zoom from our homes, it was a wonderful event to be a part of. A great number of MPs and Members of the House of Lords were able to attend – despite the madness of Parliament, Covid, and the recent announcement of new tiers - as well as staff from the partner charities and members of other political groups such as the Conservative Environment Network, Peers for the Planet and clerks from the Environmental Audit Select Committee. Attendees were encouraged to change their Zoom background to a photo of their favourite species, and the hedgehog emerging as by far the most popular!
We had the fantastic and inspiring Gillian Burke (who you will know from Springwatch and Autumnwatch) host the event and provide the keynote speech. She even brought her own prop, a lichen covered branch, to illustrate how all species are interdependent, and that it is crucial that we don’t lose sight of this when we advocate for nature in Westminster.
Next up we had several mini presentations: from Pip Goodwin (Senior Policy Officer, RSPB) on the importance of the Environment Bill for setting legally binding targets for nature’s recovery, and Honor Elridge (Policy Lead, Plantlife), on their work to restore species-rich meadows and grassland. We then had Matt Shardlow (CEO, Buglife) discuss the concerns for species conservation in the reforms to the planning system, and finally Hannah Rudd (Campaigns Officer, Angling Trust) who talked about the important conservation work of the Missing Salmon Alliance.
To round off the Reception Gillian presented the annual awards. For the Best MP Champion Award, hedgehog Champion Chris Grayling (MP for Epsom and Ewell) was the clear winner. Chris has been a tireless advocate for biodiversity this year, doing a range of activities from sponsoring debates on conservation, to speaking up for wildlife in legislation such as the Environment Bill, and even for promoting the roll out of road signs for small mammals. The award for Most Improved Species went to the Ruderal Bumblebee, which is Championed by Daniel Zeichner (MP for Cambridge Central). From a long-term decline in the 20th century, the Ruderal Bumblebee has seen a fantastic resurgence in recent years with it benefiting hugely from various agri-environment schemes.
Gillian rounded off the reception with a call to action for the MPs in attendance. The next 12 months will be absolutely crucial for reversing the UK’s ongoing and catastrophic loss of biodiversity, as well as tackling ever worsening climate change. Whether this is ensuring that the Environment Bill is strengthened as makes its way through Parliament, or ensuring that next year’s Planning Bill doesn’t forget about vital species and habitats – to ensuring that the UK goes into COP26 and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) next year with an ambitious agenda and the political determination to bring other countries along with them on this journey.
We would encourage you to email your local MP to let them know how much biodiversity and nature matters to you. These past few years have seen a huge surge in interest from the public and politicians on climate and nature issues, and it is vital that this link is maintained in order to keep up the momentum. Onward to another year for the Species Champions project – with our next Reception hopefully being in person!