Restore Nature Now
JILL KAYE
On Saturday 22 June, members of local campaigning group, Unite for Nature, will join thousands of others in central London for what could be the UK’s largest-ever gathering in support of the natural world.
Dismayed by the State of Nature report last autumn, which catalogued the devastating loss of wildlife nationally, the group formed earlier this year and set up the umbrella organisation Standing up for Nature to enable local wildlife and conservation groups to share information (see Features in HIP 252). Its Facebook page now has over 280 members, indicating the strength of support in our town.
And this local support is now going national with at least 50 people expected to be travelling up to join the Restore Nature Now march in London. This peaceful family-friendly event is organised by a broad coalition ranging from nature charities like the RSPB to activist organisation Extinction Rebellion, and speakers including Chris Packham. With a general election just weeks away, they want to send a powerful message to all political parties.
Science lecturer Jane Ripley says: “As a water pollution analyst, I have first-hand experience of how badly nature is under threat, so I will be marching on 22 June with my children to show our leaders we need to protect and Restore Nature Now for us all.”
Local preparations are heating up, with costumes being made at community wellbeing hub, Art in the Park. A 2m long banner, featuring animals, trees, flowers, insects and birds, is being created by local craft groups Stitch TLC and Crafty Magpies, with contributions from other participants, including children. The co-ordinator, textile artist Mary Dawson – representing Church Wood Community Orchard – says: “We need to show we can work together and have a bigger voice to wake up those who are still not responding.”
And Jo Howell of Unite for Nature eloquently captures the feelings of so many: “I’m going with my partner, because global warming is real and time is running out. It hurts my heart to hear about the state of nature, so I’m marching to stop governments and big businesses putting money first and get them to take meaningful action NOW. History tells us that peaceful protest does work, so I want to be part of the voice of change.”
More information at restorenaturenow.com
Pledge support here: campaigns.restorenaturenow.com/pledgetomarch. To join the Hastings group on the train to London, see updates on facebook.com/groups/sun.hastings.rother or contact [email protected]
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