A Living Landscape

Making the Countryside fit for the 21st Century

A report by a partnership of The South East Wildlife Trusts launched on the 20th February 2007, calls for urgent action to prepare wildlife for the effects of climate change. Entitled A Living Landscape for the South East - the report maps the way forward in countering climate change and restoring the region’s battered ecosystems - for both wildlife and people - from urban sprawl to rural communities.

The report launched last February comes at a time when the importance of the natural environment and threats to its survival are becoming more clearly understood.  The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment  highlighted that 60% of the world’s ecosystems are being degraded or used unsustainably, and the recent Stern Review  set out the economic case for action on climate change. 

A Living Landscape was launched at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve hosted by Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT).  The key issues were outlined to members of the Press and senior executives from Berks, Bucks & Oxon, Hants & IOW, Kent, Surrey and Sussex Wildlife Trusts.

John Bennett, Chief Executive of Kent Wildlife Trust, said:

Wildlife throughout Kent and the South East will be dramatically affected by climate change and we cannot afford to ignore it. For wildlife to be able to cope, and to prevent a collapse in the number and variety of plants and animals, we need to restore and create ‘living’ landscapes... large, interconnected habitat areas are not only essential in creating a sustainable and viable wild environment for the future, but are equally good for people too...we believe that it is important to push the debate forward now, and give local authorities and other key agencies direction on how they can start implementing national and regional planning policies which call for the creation and reconnection of wildlife habitats on a landscape scale.

The Wildlife Trusts in the South East

The South East Wildlife Trusts are Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Kent Wildlife Trust, Surrey Wildlife Trust and Sussex Wildlife Trust. Though independent, the South East Wildlife Trusts work together to stand up for wildlife in the South East Region.

The Wildlife Trusts in the South East currently have 122,000 members and manage 245 nature reserves with a total area of over 15,000 hectares (38,000 acres).

Kent Wildlife Trust

Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) was founded in 1958 and is one of the largest of 47 Wildlife Trusts across the UK. We are supported by over 21,000 members and have the simple aim of making Kent and Medway a better place for our native wildlife.

We manage 59 nature reserves (covering more than 3,400 hectares), protect over 50 miles (80.5 km) of roadside nature reserves and have a strong influence on the policies that affect wildlife habitats in the wider countryside. We also have an active wildlife awareness programme reaching over 25,000 children every year and adults of all ages and backgrounds. None of this would be possible without our dedicated team of volunteers. Our 800+ volunteers are essential!

 

Read the report
(1.36MB)

 

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