In her final blog as a trainee warden, Holly focuses on some of the many conservation success stories.....
As my time at Coombes Valley draws to a close, my thoughts have turned to hope for the future. So I thought I’d leave on some parting positivity!
Reading documents like the State of Nature report, it’s easy to see the world of conservation as bleak; focusing more on the declines than the successes. And it is important to face up to the reality of the challenge we face, lest we forget the urgency of our cause. But we also need to remember that the battle is not lost- we can make a difference and species can recover given the chance.
Here are some stories of conservation success for your delectation.
Published last Thursday, the Wildlife Comeback Report is a collaboration between various organisations including RSPB partners, BirdLife International. It describes how 37 mammal and bird species have increased in Europe over the last 50 years, including in the UK, 3 species of goose, common cranes, wild boar and seals. The European population of beavers has increased from 1,200 at the beginning of the 20th century to 337,500, following hunting restrictions and re-introductions. While overall nature remains in trouble, the report highlights the resilience of wildlife and the importance of policy in securing a home for nature.
Otter image copyright RSPB Images
Otters, once widespread, declined seriously in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Following the withdrawal of damaging pesticides, their population has increased and they’ve reclaimed most of their former range.
Marsh fritillaries are a species responding positively to landscape-scale conservation in Dorset. Butterfly Conservation and Natural England have worked together to promote sympathetic management for the butterflies, and Dorset has seen a 278% increase compared to a UK-wide 50% decline.
Short-haired bumblebee image copyright RSPB Images
Short-haired bumblebee queens have been released at RSPB Dungeness in Kent as part of a re-introduction programme following their extinction in the UK in the ‘80s. They were wiped out by habitat loss, but specially restored flower meadows on the Dungeness reserve and more environmentally sensitive faming in the wider landscape means they have a good chance of re-establishing.
Red kite image copyright RSPB Images
Birds of prey have suffered generations of persecution, and many species were close to extinction by the early 1900s. The future looks brighter, as although persecution still too often occurs, harmful pesticides have now been banned and raptor crime is taken more seriously by law. Ospreys and white-tailed eagles, both extinct in the British Isles by 1916, have been re-introduced and are breeding once again, while red kites have recovered dramatically from a handful of pairs and are spreading across the country.
Frigatebirds on the UK Overseas Territory, Ascension Island, have returned to breed on the mainland for the first time in 180 years. Introduced feral cats had caused the loss of millions of seabirds, but since the RSPB cleared the island of cats, the birds have begun to recover.
So, although there are major challenges ahead if we are to reverse the state of nature, there is also real hope. If we, as organisations and individuals, pull together, we can secure the future of nature across the world.
And after all that cheerful news, here’s some more- I’m leaving now! Seriously, thanks to everyone at Coombes. It’s been a pleasure, such a beautiful place to live and work. Goodbye!