Recently the-alluring-thunderbolt-feeling of anger has grown within. A feeling exasperated by the difficulty and hardship in fundraising and running an ecological restoration Charity. The case is clear – habitat degradation is turning the UK into an ecological desert. Statistics tell some of the story: the UK has lost 12% of its land mammals, 22% of amphibians and 24% of all the butterfly species (source: Lost Life: England’s lost and threatened Species). Most of the degradation that has taken place has been unnecessary – the case is clear for the cure: to embark on a restoration programme, nationwide – now.
Our experience tells us that schools can play a key role in any plan to restore biodiversity in this country and can do this in both an inspiring and cost effective way. With schools cooperating and working together a realistic national programme can be established to address habitat destruction head on.
The “green” issues we hear more about today, are what I would call the grey – solar panels and windfarms – its all very sweet; but the environment should not stray too far from green to grey, it also needs to focus on its origins; James Lovelock when interviewed on BBC said how it is Life that created the atmosphere, the future of our planet and its life carrying capacity, will depend on how we can live with nature, being mutually inclusive, with our urban designs. Active restoration and gardening into nature’s mosaics can stem the flow of habitat destruction, it can undo the damage of the past, and lastly open up another vision for the future, which is not only Lady Gaga, parking lots and shopping malls.
