Daveen Wallis’ Post

Did you know that it's #WorldPeatlandsDay today? 🎉 Peatlands are amazingly wild places, home to rare and unusual plants, birds and insects. They are wetland landscapes characterised by waterlogged soils made of dead and decaying plants, called peat. The Wildlife Trusts have been at the forefront of the fight to protect peatlands since the 1990s, and are leading on peatland restoration projects across the UK. To date, Wildlife Trusts have restored over 120,000 football pitches worth of peatlands in England alone. There is still work to do, and your support is crucial. Here are some actions you can take today to show that you love peatlands 💚 ✍️ Sign the peat-free pledge: https://lnkd.in/eK-E6bz4  🏡 Start making your own compost: https://lnkd.in/efhs_Eb4 🌱 Ask your local garden centre to stock peat-free compost and plug plants NOW! #BogsNotBags #ForPeatsSake #Landscape #NatureRecovery #Peat

Preserving habitats for wildlife is vital for maintaining the balance of the forest ecosystem. That's why our foresters are trained to identify habitats like eagle nests on our land. When an eagle nest is identified, we establish buffer zones to ensure their safety and preservation. This is one way we are actively contributing to the health of our forest ecosystems. 🦅 Learn more about our efforts to safeguard eagle nests and protect wildlife in our forests: https://hubs.ly/Q02qDcms0 #nationalwildlifeweek

A week ago we launched this appeal and today we sit having exceeded our target. This is wonderful and will help not only buy the land but also, as we have a bit more money, it will accelerate the pace at which we can transform the biodiversity and habitat. The most moving thing for me is the power of focus. There is a clear goal here, which resonated with enough people who were willing and able to donate. And although we had some very generous donations (which are just amazing .. thank you so much) the vast majority were much smaller, some suggesting they may be kids donating their pocket money ... all of these small acts of kindness have added up to making a big big difference which will benefit so many people, as well as the nature that will now not be disturbed and which will increase and grow as a result. Never doubt for one moment that a small act can make a big difference. It's not too late to donate and if you're not able to do that, don't worry, just sign up for the free email newsletter to help us raise awareness and get involved where you can. Nature needs us more than ever, and some of the solutions are behavioural and free.. there are some great top tips in the newsletter 👍 So why not sign up for a "wildly different inbox" here: www.durhamwt.com (scroll down the page)

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Oyster Bay thrived as a key contributor to local economic growth, fueled by its historic shellfish industry. Now, a crucial restoration initiative aims to revive and sustain this legacy. The Harbor served as a primary producer of hard clams and oysters in New York State, contributing a remarkable 90% to the state’s commercial oyster crop, as highlighted in NYSDEC Shellfish Landing Reports. However, the vitality of shellfish populations, particularly oysters, has seen a drastic decline over the past 50 years, resulting in the near complete loss of crucial reef structures. In 2020, the commercial oyster harvest plummeted to less than 1% of the prior 10-year average, and clam harvests declined by 45% compared to the 2010-2019 average. This decline, observed across many Long Island embayments, results from various human-induced factors like stormwater discharges, coastal development, habitat loss, harvest practices, and widespread shellfish predators. To combat this loss, The Town seeds millions of shellfish into Oyster Bay Harbor and the Great South Bay each year. Continuous generations are crucial to re-develop reef systems and to  improve water quality. This year, 12 million shellfish (8 million oysters and 4 million clams) were seeded into protected underwater lands for restoration purposes. These efforts have garnered an array of interest from leading institutions and national organizations, fostering partnerships with Stony Brook University, Adelphi University, and the Nature Conservancy. These institutions, along with the Town, recognize the restoration potential of Oyster Bay Harbor, highlighting specific areas where natural spawning is already occurring and room for enhanced habitat. To further support habitat enhancement, the Town initiated a shell recycling program in 2022, collaborating with 15 local restaurants. Over 20,000 pounds of oyster and clam shells have been collected, diverting waste from landfills to create new habitat in targeted areas for shellfish planting. As part of this grant project with Stony Brook University, the Town has allocated a substantial portion of the collected recycled shells for substrate enhancement and the creation of pilot oyster reefs. I'm thrilled, both professionally and personally, to be involved in this exciting opportunity over the next few years. Engaging in this restoration effort is not just a commitment but a chance to make a meaningful difference in the place I call home 

Excellent news though I do take issue with the idea that these beautiful lizards are 'common' they are anything but a true wonder of nature. Even in 1912 these lizards were not common throughout England - the majority of which has no lizards. They are widespread and can be locally abundant but are still cannot be considered as common in the status sense. Nor are they dull - a host of colours and patterns exist throughout their range with many colour morphs across their range. They have essentially anti freeze in their blood to prevent succumbing to ice and frost, they live in the coldest place in the Northern Hemisphere and to me are an ideal candidate as a bio indicator species for nature recovery in England. From rewilding to Biodiversity Net Gain this species will feature as they spread out from their countryside refuges - as the anthills, grass tussocks, bramble edges, woodland edges arise from nature recovery so will the numbers of lizards - recording them on the ground will provide the evidence as to whether the action is working over the next 30 to 40years. Report sightings via the Record Pool www.recordpool.org.uk

Looking to the future for tigers. 🐅 2023 was a milestone success for tiger conservation, bringing with it the end of the TX2 campaign to double wild tiger numbers. During the 12 years of TX2, five countries successfully increased their populations. But there's still work to do: wild tiger populations have declined or gone extinct in half of the countries they’ve lived in. 📉 So, what's next...? We're maintaining the momentum with tiger conservation: WWF has a new goal to help increase and/or stabilise wild tiger populations and their range in 22 landscapes by 2034. We need to allow these big cats space to grow. 🧡 https://brnw.ch/21wGb83

It's #WorldWildlifeDay! Ensuring healthy habitat for wildlife is one of the many reasons why conserving land, protecting water and taking climate action are so important to the well-being of animals, plants and people. Explore four unique ecosystems in Idaho and discover some of the iconic—and underrated—species that call these habitats home and the conservation work that helps them ➡️ https://nature.ly/3P6Yhsd

A U.S. Supreme Court's ruling overturned five decades of wetland protections under the Clean Water Act, leaving many of our streams and wetlands at risk. Water experts of the National Wildlife Federation spoke with members of our Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council about the impact of this decision, ongoing initiatives to restore protections and tackle the current crisis, and actions community leaders and the public can take to advocate for clean water for all! Check out this video to learn more. #CleanWaterAct #Cleanwaterforall #ProtectOurwaters #COProtectourWaters #Water #Cleanwater #Waterpollution #Waterprotections

It's #WorldWildlifeDay! Ensuring healthy habitat for wildlife is one of the many reasons why conserving land, protecting water and taking climate action are so important to the well-being of animals, plants and people. Explore four unique ecosystems in Idaho and discover some of the iconic—and underrated—species that call these habitats home and the conservation work that helps them ➡️ https://nature.ly/48yINUI

🌳🐿️  The red squirrel is more than just a beloved icon of British wildlife, it's a vital part of our natural ecosystem. However, with numbers dwindling due to habitat loss, disease, and competition from non-native grey squirrels, saving the red squirrel has become an urgent priority in the UK. Restoring our natural environment is key to ensuring that red squirrels, and countless other species, continue to thrive. By protecting and expanding their woodland habitats, we can create a balanced ecosystem where wildlife and humans coexist in harmony. Conservation efforts not only help preserve the beauty and diversity of our countryside, but they also strengthen the natural processes that support clean air, water, and soil. When we restore nature, we’re investing in a healthier planet for ourselves and future generations. Let’s protect the red squirrel and work towards a world where wildlife and people can thrive together. By supporting conservation initiatives, planting more trees, and being mindful of how our actions impact the environment, we can ensure that these charming creatures continue to grace our woodlands for years to come. To learn more about restoring habitats visit the TNRP website. 🌳🐿️ https://lnkd.in/eqAVxRK6 #Conservation #RedSquirrel #NatureRestoration #Sustainability #WildlifeProtection