Join exciting Endangered in Wanstead campaign to stop biodiversity extinctions

The latest David Attenborough series, Perfect Planet, finished with stark warnings as to how precarious the future looks. The world is now in the midst of the sixth mass extinction, with 500 species of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles on the verge of extinction. Half of all insects are believed to have been lost since 1970 due to the destruction of nature and heavy use of pesticides. The devastation being caused by the way human beings live at the moment is causing untold damage. The green lungs of the planet, such as the Amazon rain forest are rapidly being felled. These precious biodiversity resources cannot be restored in the short term once they have gone. The repercussions for humans are also pretty horrific, with the Covid-19 pandemic an example of what could increasingly happen moving forward, destroying the natural environment around us – so animal life moves closer to humankind. The virus is believed to have come from bats. The Attenbourgh program did though show some signs of hope, where positive developments are contributing to save and develop biodiversity, as well as cut global emissions. One positive development worldwide has been the rewilding movement. This has seen whole areas being returned to more like their natural state, allowed to develop un molested. In places like the Knepp estate in West Sussex, original species like Dartmouth ponies, Tamworth pigs and longhorn cattle have returned and prospered. The work is truly remarkable and is spreading out right across the country. At local level, Redbridge has been seeking to increase the amount of land given to wilding. The growzone initiative started in Wanstead has been one notable success. Now, the extinction threat has been picked up with the new Endangered in Wanstead campaign, highlighting 10 species that are struggling to survive in our local area. The project, organised by Wild Wanstead, the Wren Wildlife and Conservation Group and London Wildlife Trust has singled out the house sparrow, hedgehog, skylark, swift, common toad, pipistrelle bat, smooth newt, tawny mining bee, stag beetle and common blue butterfly as at risk. The campaign will seek to involve local stakeholders to all play a part in preserving and promoting the future existence of these threatened creatures. It is incredible to think how many species that used to be plentiful have diminished. Some 30 or 40 years ago, house sparrows used to be a common sight around Wanstead gardens, now much less so. Then there are the hedgehogs, which are now a rarity. If though we begin to act to help out by creating the sort of environments where these creatures can prosper they can come back. Among the suggestions made are planting more trees and hedges, plant pollinator friendly plants outside, tear up those destructive concreted over drives and pathways, replacing them with lawns and vegetative areas and create log piles in quiet corners. Nest boxes will help the birds, as will sticking to footpaths in areas like Wanstead Flats and Park. The successes of programs to reintroduce birds like the red kite to different parts of the UK shows what can be done, where there is a will there is always a way. So please get behind the Endangered in Wanstead project, in order that we can do our bit to retain and promote such vital biodiversity. More information on Endangered Wanstead can be seen at www.wnstd.com/the10