Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust join over 60,000 people in march to parliament to demand politicians Restore Nature Now

More than 60,000 people have marched for nature in London, including Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.

On Saturday, June 22, representatives from Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust travelled to London with others from across the UK to join more than 60,000 people and over 350 charities, businesses and action groups to march through central London to parliament.

They had one simple message to all the UK’s political parties — that they must Restore Nature Now.

The march is thought to have been the biggest public demonstration in the General Election run-up and the trust says it shows the strength of public opinion on the need for stronger political action to tackle the nature and climate crisis.

Celebrities at the march included Emma Thompson, Liz Bonnin, Chris Packham, Dr Amir Khan, Feargal Sharkey, Steve Backshall, Megan McCubbin, Dale Vince and Mya-Rose Craig.

Paul Wilkinson, chief executive of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust said: “Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust trustees, staff and Keeping it Wild young people along with many other Wildlife Trusts, nature NGOs, climate and other groups, and concerned citizens, gathered together to march through the streets of London to make it clear to decision makers and policy makers that we need to Restore Nature Now.

“It was an inspiring day with great speeches and a positive and determined mood, with a clear sense of shared purpose, frustration, and hope.

“Here in Notts, we have our ambitious Wilder Nottinghamshire 2030 Strategy that we are working hard to deliver and today emphasises, more than ever, that the time we have to turn things around for nature is rapidly running out and why we must keep our shoulder to the wheel.”

The family-friendly, peaceful march saw people form a walking wood and walking meadow, while giant avocet, bat, hare, mushroom and salmon puppets towered over them.

At the end of the march in Parliament Square, celebrities and campaigners gathered in front of the tens of thousands of marchers to take to the stage to talk about the state of UK nature and the political action needed to improve it.

The campaigners have issued 5 main challenges to politicians on the action needed for nature:

•A pay rise for nature — the nature and climate-friendly farming budget doubled.

•Make polluters pay — new rules to make polluters contribute to nature and climate recovery

•More space for nature — to expand and improve protected areas, and ensure public land and National Parks contribute more to recovery.

•A right to a healthy environment — an Environmental Rights Bill, which would drive better decisions for nature, improve public health and access to high-quality nature.

•Fair and effective climate action — increasing home energy efficiency, supporting active travel and public transport, and replacing polluting fossil fuels with affordable renewables.

Environmental groups have encouraged members of the public to get involved and raise nature and climate issues with political candidates during the election — find out more at www.restorenaturenow.com and The Wildlife Trusts’ General Election web page.