I've got some great news to share, and Halloween seems the perfect time to share it.
Halloween of course marks the zenith of the short pumpkin season, and I know a number of farmers that really grow pumpkins for their community, rather than making much profit. They see their friends and neighbours getting a great deal of pleasure carving and displaying their Jack o' Lanterns (that's my effort in the picture!), just as all year round they see the community benefiting from the wildlife that thrives on their farms.
It all takes time, dedication and care. Without that care, our wildlife doesn't stand a chance.
Over the last 6 months I've often told you about some of the Great British farmers that are Stepping Up for Nature on their farms. And I'm thrilled to be able to tell you that in that time, over a million steps for nature have already been taken. That’s one step every 18 seconds. Wow, a huge pat on the back, that’s no mean feat! And that's just the steps that we know about. I bet many of you have taken even more steps without even knowing it.
There are countless ways you can step up for nature. In the past six months, you might have helped a neighbour make the most of agri-environment schemes, voted in the Nature of Farming Award, bought something from one of our shops, fed your garden birds (as well as sown a bird cover crop), e-mailed the EU minister in response to the flawed CAP reform proposals, put up nest boxes, or perhaps you volunteer for the RSPB. And of course being a member is one huge step for nature conservation in itself. See, I knew you were likely to be stepping up even more without knowing it!
Well, I just want to take a moment to thank you for your support, without which we couldn’t even begin to work with farmers across the UK to tackle the catastrophic declines in bird species and other wildlife. Together we’ve been able to help turn around the fortunes of wildlife like corncrakes, stone curlews and great yellow bumblebees. Our countryside is under ever increasing pressure as we need more food, more homes, more jobs and more facilities. We have to make our land work harder for us all and nature. Every small step you take can make a big difference, and if everyone acts together nature stands a chance. In light of the massive amount of support we’ve already received, and look set to continue receiving, we hope the UK Government realises that it too must step up to help save the natural world or risk being left behind. One step you can take today is enter the Nature of Farming Award for 2012, or, if you're not a farmer, encourage your local food shops to source their food from wildlife-friendly farmers. For more ways to step up for nature visit www.rspb.org.uk/steppingup
Well, I just want to take a moment to thank you for your support, without which we couldn’t even begin to work with farmers across the UK to tackle the catastrophic declines in bird species and other wildlife. Together we’ve been able to help turn around the fortunes of wildlife like corncrakes, stone curlews and great yellow bumblebees.
In light of the massive amount of support we’ve already received, and look set to continue receiving, we hope the UK Government realises that it too must step up to help save the natural world or risk being left behind.
For more ways to step up for nature visit www.rspb.org.uk/steppingup
Hi Heather G,like the way you look on the bright side of farming moving to being better wildlife friendly rather than moaning about those that have not come on board.Think the enthusiastic praise for wildlife friendly farmers gets much better results than the moaners.Well done a lovely blog,keep it up.