Field & Stream

Field & Stream Wildlife Trust encouraged by Prime Minister’s climate action pledges

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has responded positively to Rishi Sunak’s address to global leaders this week, in which he stressed the importance of ending dependence on fossil fuels and acknowledged that “there is no solution to climate change without protecting and restoring nature”.

The Trust was encouraged by the new Prime Minister’s attendance at COP27, where the issue of “loss and damage” felt by poorer nations as a result of historic emissions is taking centre stage.

It also welcomed the Prime Minister’s commitment to reduce the UK’s emissions by at least 68% by 2030.

Gary Mantle, CEO of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, said: “We cannot address climate change without nature’s recovery. Natural habitats have a critical role to play in storing carbon and helping us adapt to the impacts of climate change. As UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said, we need urgent action by all nations, working together to avoid catastrophic warming.

“We are now urging the UK government to build on the Prime Minister’s commitments by taking action at home and supporting nature’s recovery.

“If the government increases efforts to protect at least 30% of land and sea by 2030 by strengthening environmental protections and setting ambitious targets, as promised under the Environment Act, we can both restore many of our wild places and mitigate the effects of climate change.”

In the 12 months since COP26, England experienced the driest July since 1935 and temperatures over 40˚C were recorded for the first time ever.

The hot and dry weather brought about by climate change left nature under pressure. Habitats across the country were left parched with wildlife suffering from overheating and a severe lack of water.

Water levels in chalk streams and ponds were exceptionally low, with water temperatures much higher than they should be, adversely impacting food sources for species such as otters, water voles and kingfishers.

Ponds and sections of streams dried up across Wiltshire, including a large pond at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s Conigre Mead nature reserve in Melksham and tiered ponds at Kings Farm Wood near Wroughton.

The rainfall seen in recent months has not been enough to fully replenish reservoirs, aquifers, ponds, rivers and streams.

There were also reports of wildfires breaking out across the UK throughout the summer and even into autumn.

In August, the remnants of a fire were discovered close to an ancient oak tree just 50m from the edge of the Trust’s Green Lane Wood nature reserve on the edge of Trowbridge.

Even as late as October, another small fire had to be put out at Hagbourne Copse nature reserve in Swindon as dry leaves provided fuel for flames to spread.

Gary Mantle added: “Protecting nature and prioritising climate resilience is becoming even more critical in the wake of this recent extreme weather.

“Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is undertaking a raft of projects to help tackle the climate and ecological crises, including restoring wetlands, rivers, chalk downland and wildflower meadows.

“There are also simple actions that everyone can take at home and work, which are good for the planet and good for the pocket, from limiting water and electricity use, to reducing waste and gardening for wildlife.” To find out more, visit www. wiltshirewildlife.org/actionsfor-climate

Burnt grass near Green Lane Wood

Credit: WWT

Field & Stream

Nature centre opens at Langford Lakes adding café and gallery

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has more than doubled the size of the Brockbank nature centre at its Langford Lakes nature reserve near Salisbury, with the creation of a new café area and a dedicated space for an art gallery and private functions.

The new developments were made possible through the generous support of key funders The Hills Group and the European Social Investment Fund.

The transformed Kingfisher Café now extends out over one of the lakes, affording stunning views of the reserve and its wildlife spectacles. The Brockbank Centre is also a great resource for Wiltshire Wildlife Trust events and a focal point for the local community to use for everything from meetings to weddings. Most importantly, with the added capacity and improved facilities, the expanded nature centre and café are drawing in more visitors to the Trust’s Langford Lakes reserve, including people new to exploring nature.

The wetlands at Langford Lakes are home to a variety of wildlife, including otters and approximately 150 resident and migratory bird species. The nature reserve offers visitors a circular route around 31 hectares of lakes and wet grassland, with level paths and five bird hides for avid bird watchers.

Chairman, Alan Pardoe, and chief executive, Mike Hill, of The Hills Group opened the Brockbank Centre at an event attended by Lord Talbot, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Trustees and a small group of the Trust’s major stakeholders.

Alan Pardoe, said: “Hills is extremely proud of its long-standing relationship with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust that goes back over 30 years. The Trust and Hills were the first to make use of funding from the Landfill Communities Fund and it is fantastic to see how much this reserve at Langford Lakes has developed over the years. The exemplar habitat that has been created is tremendous for wildlife.

“The nature centre is not only an asset for the local community who now have access to this site, but also for other Wiltshire residents and all the people who are able to come and enjoy the new facilities and spend time outdoors in nature.”

Attendees of the official opening event had the chance to learn about how Langford Lakes has been transformed for the benefit of wildlife and local people since the reserve was created in 2001 from a presentation by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s CEO, Dr Gary Mantle MBE. Damian Haasjes, head of Business Development & Community Engagement for the Trust presented on how the Brockbank Centre provides a host of new opportunities for people to enjoy and learn about nature. On a guided tour of the nature reserve, guests also heard about the exciting plans for more enhancements to the reserve, including a new sand martin nesting bank.

Gary Mantle, CEO of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, said: “This fantastic new facility will enable people to enjoy nature whatever the weather, from cosy indoor seating or out on the café’s new veranda. It is a place where people can meet friends, host events and learn more about the Langford Lakes wetlands, the wildlife they support and conservation in Wiltshire.

“We are very grateful to The Hills Group and other generous funders who have helped us to transform Langford Lakes into a true flagship site for Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. The remarkable support from The Hills Group over the years has been key in helping us to achieve our vision of a sustainable future for wildlife and people.”

Langford Lakes is one of 41 Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserves spread throughout the county covering nearly 1,200 hectares, with all of Wiltshire’s habitats represented, from chalk downlands to woodlands. The Trust also has visitor facilities at the Dragonfly Café, located at Lower Moor Farm nature reserve in the north of the county. www.wiltshirewildlife.org/reserves

Chairman of The Hills Group Alan Pardoe opening the new Brockbank nature centre at Langford Lakes with chairman of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Mark Street; accompanied by The Hills Group chief executive Mike Hill, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Lord Talbot, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust chief executive Gary Mantle and Trustees