Wildlife in crisis: Call to action with species at risk of extinction

UNDER THREAT: A pipistrelle bat. Picture by Tom Marshall

By Simon Bristow

A leading conservation charity has launched its most ambitious call for public action in its 77-year history after declaring the region’s wildlife to be “in crisis”.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust warns that one in seven species are at risk of extinction, or becoming confined to protected spaces, and says: “Loss of wildlife on this scale will affect the health of our natural world and have a devastating impact on our environment, health and economy.”

‘ONCE COMMON GARDEN FRIENDS’: Hedgehogs. Picture by Jon Hawkins

To help wildlife fight back, the trust has launched #TeamWilder, a rapidly growing movement of people across the UK who care about the environment and want to help wildlife thrive; not just on nature reserves, but at home, at work and in their communities.

Action in Yorkshire focuses on nine species in greatest need of help, and those that represent and support the diversity of the region’s wildlife. The “nine in need” include once common garden friends such as hedgehogs, frogs and bumblebees, as well as swifts, pipistrelle bats and butterflies. “Without immediate action, we could lose some of these forever,” the trust said.

Rachael Bice, CEO of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, said: “We are leading the charge for revolutionary change and empowering inclusive, diverse and growing communities to take meaningful action at home, schools and in the workplace, to build better connection with nature right across Yorkshire.

“Nature desperately needs recovery and to be recognised as a critical contribution to addressing the climate and health crises too. Access on a daily basis to the nature on our doorstep is a corner stone of a happy, healthy society.” 

FROGS ARE AMONG THE ‘NINE IN NEED’. Picture by Paddy Hall

The rallying call also follows the BBC’s Wild Isles series which has inspired and reignited a love of British wildlife. Wildlife Trusts have a long history of grassroots action, extensive experience working with local groups and communities, with the resources and expertise to help.

You can find out more about #TeamWilder and how to sign up for free here. This unlocks toolkits and resources giving advice on how to get involved, take action at home, and how to respond to planning applications, for example.

People are also being encouraged to take part in the Great Yorkshire Creature Count, the region’s biggest wildlife survey, on June 24 - 25. You can sign up and take part here.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust was formed as a charity in 1946 and is dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring wildlife and wild places in Yorkshire. It is part of the Wildlife Trusts movement. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust looks after more than 100 nature reserves and is involved in hundreds of other conservation-related projects.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust depends on the support of its 900 volunteers and 45,000 members. You can join here.