Here’s some positive news for all us green fingered folk and nature enthusiasts… England’s rainforests are getting a well-deserved boost, thanks to the power of community action!
A temperate rainforest strategy for England
The UK government has just unveiled a ground-breaking temperate rainforest strategy for England that brings much-needed attention, funding and support to this magical and biodiverse habitat. And it’s all thanks to the voices of tens of thousands of passionate individuals who rallied together to protect and expand these vital ecosystems!
What’s even more fantastic is that this strategy isn’t just a bunch of empty promises. It’s backed by a hefty £750,000 investment for research into temperate rainforests and the threats they’re up against. Plus, there are plans for seven ‘landscape recovery sites’ spread across England, dedicated to rainforest restoration.
Putting trees on the radar
Campaigners like Guy Shrubsole, the brains behind “The Lost Rainforests of Britain,” are thrilled about this development. In his blog, he points out that before their efforts, temperate rainforests weren’t even on the radar in parliament. Hence, his excitement to report that now we’ve got a full-blown strategy dedicated to safeguarding these precious ecosystems.
But while this strategy is definitely a step in the right direction, there’s still room for improvement. As Guy Shrubsole also notes, it’s missing a few key components, like an overarching target or legal protection for more rainforest sites. As Shrubsole rightly puts it, there’s certainly more that the UK government can do to fill in these gaps.
Together, we can make a real difference 🌿💚
With 2024 being an election year, now’s the perfect time for all parties to step up their game when it comes to nature and climate policies. Let’s turn this into a ‘race to the top’ and ensure that our rainforests – and the planet as a whole – get the protection they deserve.
