Concern for wider environment not so evident in lack of respect for green spaces and the countryside

As someone who has worked in the nature conservation and environment sector since the 1990s I’m very aware that environmental issues, such as over consumption of resources, water pollution and climate change, and of the need to protect and restore nature are more mainstream than ever. ­— Writes Erin McDaid, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust

People are increasingly concerned about the state of the planet and how we might leave it for future generations, and understand that issues such as extreme weather and rising temperatures are being driven by our actions.

An increasing number of us recognise that we also have a responsibility to act — yet for many, when it comes to matters such as disposal of litter and the sort of carelessness that leads to wildfires in the countryside, there seems to be something of a troubling disconnect.

During lockdown, when most of our usual activities were off limits, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust saw a significant increase in the use of our nature reserves. We wholeheartedly welcomed this increased engagement and hope that many of the people who discovered the delights of our sites for the first time continue to visit and appreciate our reserves.

What we didn’t welcome was the increase in littering and other anti-social behaviour, such as fires and acts of vandalism.

As we all emerged from the confinement of lockdown, issues with people enjoying, but not respecting, green spaces and the wider countryside came to a head.

Where once a tiny minority of folk might choose to wild camp individually or in small groups, following the mantra of leaving no trace; large groups would descend to party — often simply abandoning their tents, chairs and other camping equipment along with their litter with no thought of the impact on others.

In some places, including popular areas of The Peak District, the issues became so bad that regular patrols were brought in.

As this issue continued to generate headlines it became apparent that the Countryside Code, which dates from the 1930s and led to rules such as not dropping litter; leaving gates as you found them; keeping dogs under control and not lighting fires becoming second nature for generations; had become more like a secret code only known to a few.

It transpired that in the decade leading up to lockdown, just £2,000 per year had been spent promoting the code ­— a paltry figure for any national campaign.

This year, with extreme temperatures leaving vast areas tinder dry, we have seen a threefold increase in the number of wildfires across the UK, including a number on our nature reserves.

While the weather has made it easier for fires to take hold, the vast majority will have been caused by carelessness — with discarded cigarettes, broken glass, campfires and inappropriately used barbecues all likely causes.

I dread to think what those who fought for our right to access the countryside would make of the lack of care and respect shown by an increasing minority.

The right to use the countryside comes with responsibilities.

Last year, following the widespread issues and realisation that it needed a push, the promotional budget was cranked up and the Countryside Code got a 21st Century make-over, with some of the language softened.

Whilst I agree that we should all ‘be nice, say hello and share the space’ and very much appreciate the thread which says ‘enjoy your visit, have fun, make a memory’, I feel that we should also stick to the basics, which focus on minimising our impact on treasured places and leaving them as we would wish to find them.

We should also remember that these responsibilities extend to green spaces such as parks and nature reserves, whether in the countryside or not.