Together we stood against bee killing poisons, peat bog destruction and further threats to our already over polluted rivers. And we united against undemocratic processes being introduced that would have seen decision-making about our most precious wildlife and natural places for people’s wellbeing, happening behind closed doors. And throughout the year there was some good, some bad and some hopeful! 

How it started… 

2023 began with an urgent threat to bees, bugs and other pollinators raising its ugly head. An ‘emergency derogation’ to use a banned chemical was requested by British Sugar for the third (and promised, last) year in a row. This was ok’d by the Westminster Government, meaning the EU-banned poisons, neonicotinoids were once again used on sugar beet for the nation’s sugar.  

Which begs the question - why are we are seeing a frustrating de-ja-vu moment for bees as 2023 draws to a close?  

Thousands of people have already asked the Farming Minister to stop this cycle and say ‘yes’ to healthy farmlands in 2024 by saying No to British Sugar. So please join your fellow campaigners!  

Big wins!  

It’s been a year since we first had to challenge the Government’s plans which included unwelcome changes to farming policy, planning rules and nature laws across the UK. Thousands of people defended nature from policy and legislative changes that were first put forward late 2022, as part of what we considered to be an “attack on nature”. Our campaign to shape the REUL Bill as part of this, lead to some important wins for wildlife but we are still watching how things progress very carefully.

Another big ‘win’ saw people stand firmly against Government plans that would have taken a switchblade to our strongest environmental protections. Proposals were to remove a need for ‘nutrient neutrality’ in developments –a requirement for house builders to stop pollutants running into water catchments. Astonishingly, these plans which were put forward as part of the Levelling Up Bill, would have required Local Authorities to make planning decisions on the assumption that development would not damage protected sites – despite their better judgement - and ignore any local evidence or knowledge. 

Campaigners across all the Wildlife Trusts voiced concerns about these treasured nature havens as part of an argument to keep ‘nutrient neutrality’ within the Bill. From the Somerset Levels to the Norfolk Broads – we drew experience and evidence together, and saw it defeated in the House of Lords. 

Throughout spring, hundreds of new Farming Champions reached out to their MPs to speak up for farmers who are choosing nature friendly ways to produce food. Through stories and resources included in our special toolkit, Champions help more farmers to help nature.  

Looking ahead  

Across different sections of society, people are discovering the value of nature, and the way it can help us face some of today’s challenges. Wildlife Trusts within every county and every country in the UK as well as the Isle of Man, Scilly and Alderney are working alongside communities of all kinds to improve lives and neighbourhoods, through the power of nature. We can’t wait to carry this into 2024!   

A huge thanks to everyone who is involved, proving that change is possible and making a massive impact for nature’s recovery. There’s plenty of ways that everyone can join in and make a real difference, especially as we head into 2024 – an Election year!  

As we prepare for 2024, enjoy this powerful poem which was written especially for all our supporters, who are part of The Wildlife Trusts by the wonderful George The Poet  - Nature’s calling out – lets answer the call.